The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has taken the full cost of the surgery to separate the Siamese twins at the Ridge Hospital in Accra.
The President who made this known through the Chief of Staff,;Honorable Frema Opare will in total absorb a medical fee of Ghc15 million.
The operation which is expected to cost about GHC 15 million will be carried out over a period of one year. The Chief of Staff further noted that;President Akufo-Addo has instructed that all resources needed to carry out;the procedure should be made available to the hospital without delay.
The Chief of Staff also disclosed that the news of the surgery and;the willingness of the doctors to offer help was received with joy as it was laid before Parliament. She said the efforts were in line with the country’s Ghana Beyond Aid agenda. Also
“When the Health Minister brought to our attention that we have this unique case in Ghana that is cojoined twins, and that our Ghanaian doctors have taken upon themselves a responsibility to undertake the separation here in Ghana, it was received with a lot of joy.
“His excellency,;the President recognized the fact that these efforts that you want to put in is very much in line with the Ghana Beyond Aid agenda. We believe in self-sufficiency and we have strong belief in the capacity of Ghanaians;to stand to the test of economic and social development.”
Frema Opare
President proud of the doctors
Honorable Frema Opare moreover revealed that the hospital and the team of medical professionals have made the President and the people of Ghana proud. She further urged that sharing ideas and supporting one another is something that should be encouraged they as doctors have agreed to work as a team.
“It is a historic effort that you want to make and;I am glad that you are working as a team and you are drawing expertise from all the various medical facilities and even those abroad.”
Frema Opare
Surgery an opportunity to equip the nation
The Chief of staff also disclosed that the surgery is an opportunity for the nation to equip itself to undertake complicated surgeries in the country,;adding that it’s an opportunity which should not elude the nation.
“We did not ask for this situation;but we also believe that given the efforts and the courage of our doctors to do something about it, we should also use this opportunity to acquire what is needed in Ghana. As you recall, Ghanaians have stood up finely among the world in handling of COVID.
“We look forward to supporting this endeavor and we believe very much that;Ghana can take a lead in many ways and spheres of life and on the continent. We already have a vision of Ghana being a medical hub.”
Frema Opare
According to the health officials also, this is the first time such a surgical procedure will be undertaken in Ghana. The lead surgeon for the planned separation of the conjoined twins,;Dr Samuel Kaba, said a team of about 160 medical and non-medical staff will be involved in the entire process.
