St. Anne’s Catholic Hospital in Damongo has officially launched activities for the 2026 World Day of the Sick, with a call for renewed compassion, empathy, and dignity in healthcare delivery.
The solemn ceremony brought together religious leaders, health professionals, government officials, and traditional authorities, and was anchored on the biblical theme of the Good Samaritan.
Delivering the homily, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Damongo, Most Rev. Peter Paul Yelezuome Angkyier, urged society particularly health workers to show love, mercy, and selfless care to the sick and vulnerable, describing compassion as the foundation of both Christian living and quality healthcare.
Chairman of the occasion, Dr. John Ekow Otoo, Savannah Regional Director of Health Services, commended stakeholders for their continued support to healthcare delivery in the region and appealed for stronger collaboration to address challenges facing health facilities.
The Diocesan Health Director, Mr. Aiden Ngmenbon, expressed gratitude to participants, especially those who travelled long distances to attend the launch.
He encouraged health workers to serve with dedication, noting that the Savannah Region remains Ghana’s largest by land size, which places extra demands on healthcare providers. He also appealed for support to complete ongoing but uncompleted infrastructure projects at the hospital.
Addressing the gathering, the Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Salisu Be-Awuribe Issifu, highlighted the strong partnership between the Catholic Church and the state and reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting church-led development initiatives.
He disclosed that funding pledged by the Chinese government during President John Dramani Mahama’s visit to China includes support for Catholic projects, with plans underway for a Catholic Technical University. He appealed to traditional leaders to support land acquisition for the project.
The Regional Minister also cautioned hospital management to strictly comply with NHIS regulations, stressing that patients should not be charged for services already covered by the insurance scheme.
In his closing remarks, Dr. John Ekow Otoo appealed to chiefs and authorities to help provide accommodation for health workers, describing housing as a major challenge in the region.
He further called for future road projects to include pedestrian walkways and recreational spaces to help curb drug abuse and other social vices among the youth.
The launch was an important step toward the 2026 World Day of the Sick and reminded everyone that healthcare should be based on care, respect, and shared responsibility.
Source: kashafmonline.com
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