Some families of patients seeking psychiatric care at the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital in the Central Region are appealing to the government to intervene to stop managers from turning patients away. The Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital is not accepting fresh patients but discharging some of the inmates over the lack of facilities. Some of those being discharged are not fully recovered. Joy News Central regional correspondent Richard Kwadwo Nyarko reports that the past two weeks some suppliers of foodstuff to the hospital threatened to withhold supplies over unpaid debts because their bankers are also constantly on their neck. According to him several patients seeking mental care have flocked the streets of the Central Regional capital, Cape Coast, a situation that is creating fears among the populace. By policy, treatment at the psychiatric facility is free as major funding comes from the government but administrators at the facility are complaining of the lack of funds. When Joy News spoke to the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Kwasi Osei, he confirmed the story saying the situation has prompted authorities at the hospital to use funds judiciously. He however denied reports that the hospital is turning patients away. “It is not true that patients who have not improved [are being asked to go home]…Some patients are well enough to go home to continue treatment. It does not necessarily mean that they are well enough not to be on treatment but they are well enough to continue treatment at home…so that the little money left will be judiciously used on those that are acutely or severely ill and have to be on the wards,” he explained. He disclosed that they have been assured by the Finance Ministry of funds soon. He cautioned however that until the Mental Health Bill is passed to overhaul the system, the situation will still persist. Story by Ernest Dela Aglanu/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana