The Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital is set to extend its Medicare programme to retired staff as part of efforts to recognise and support pensioners who contributed to the development of the institution.
The Chief Executive of the hospital, Dr Yakubu Seidu Adam, announced the initiative when he led members of the Central Management to engage executives of the Korle- Bu Pensioners Association on matters of mutual interest.
Dr Adam said pensioners remained an important part of the Korle- Bu community, having contributed significantly to the growth and development of the hospital during their years of active service.
He said including retired staff in the hospital’s Medicare programme would provide a meaningful way for management to appreciate their contributions and ensure that they remained connected to the institution.
According to him, the initiative formed part of management’s broader commitment to supporting retired staff even after they had left active service.
Dr Adam, however, appealed to pensioners still occupying hospital accommodation to comply with management’s directives and vacate the facilities after the expiration of the approved grace period.
The Director of the Human Resource Directorate, Mr Yehuza Jawula, assured the Association of the directorate’s commitment to working closely with the pensioners to strengthen and expand its membership.
He also disclosed that management would facilitate the provision of identification cards for pensioners to enable them access relevant services conveniently and formally identify them as members of the Korle- Bu pensioner community.
The Chairman of the Korle- Bu Pensioners Association, Mr Erasmus Jones, expressed appreciation to management for the engagement and the proposed inclusion of pensioners in the medicare programme.
The Association, however, appealed to management to consider extending its support beyond healthcare, particularly by assisting pensioners and their families with embalming and mortuary storage fees when retired staff pass away.
The executives also called for a formal support mechanism for families of deceased pensioners, saying such assistance would demonstrate the hospital’s continued appreciation and care for its former employees.
Established in 2011, the Korle-Bu Pensioners Association currently has 199 members.
Other members of management who participated in the engagement were the Director of Administration, Mr Munir Alhassan; Executive Assistant, Mrs Gertrude Kinney; and representatives of the Public Relations Unit.
Executives of the Pensioners Association present included Mr John Adjei Adjetey, Mr Afful, Mr Simonides Cofie, Nana Baah Acheamfour, Ms Belinda Commey, Mrs Elizabeth Thompson and Mr Alex Arhin.
