The Executive Director of Shekhinah Clinic for the Poor and Destitute, Hajiah Mariama Alhassan Dokurugu, has appealed for support to enable the facility to effectively provide its free medical services to the poor who visit the hospital. According to her, the facility currently is capable of providing only malaria testing and full blood count as it lacks some essential drugs and equipment, thereby reducing the hospital’s effectiveness in healthcare provision. She indicated that the facility has no source of income; therefore, purchasing equipment, especially the reagents used for various lab tests such as malaria, Hepatitis B, HIV, full blood counts (FBC), among others, is a problem.
Hajia Mariama in an interview with Zaa news said the facility does not have permanent medical professionals but relies on volunteer lab technicians who only come when available because they cannot afford their service, though it receives about sixty to seventy OPD cases daily. The Executive Director also mentioned feeding as a major challenge, since the facility provides free hot meals to mentally ill persons, about 150 people on Tamale Street and malnourished prisoners.
Hajia Mariama further mentioned that, five years after the demise of the founder Dr. Abdulai Fuseni, the clinic still operates on the benevolence of donors, philanthropists and individuals who show their contribution to the survival of the clinic. She said a school has been established known as David Abdulai Memorial School in remembrance of the founder.
She said thousands of people who have passed through the Shekhinah Clinic can testify to the experience of God’s free and unconditional love in diverse ways through their services, irrespective of their tribe, color or religion. The clinic she indicates offers free surgical care and as well supports stranded passengers. Hajiah Mariama used the opportunity to appeal to the government, philanthropists, organizations and individuals to assist the clinic pay utility bills such as water and electricity, since it offers free service to society and does not make profit.
By: Lilian D. Walter/zaanews.com/Ghana
