Dr. Yennusom Maalug receiving the items from the GBA President
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) yesterday made a donation to the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital as part of activities to mark this year’s Mother’s Day celebrations.
The items included cooking oil, tomato paste, canned fish, spaghetti, toiletries, toothpaste, sanitary towels, water and other essential items for patients at the facility.
Speaking during the presentation, President of the GBA, Efua Ghartey, said the gesture aims to showcase the association’s commitment to supporting vulnerable people in society beyond its legal advocacy role.
“We want to showcase that the Ghana Bar Association is not all about law, being in court and making statements on matters of national concern, but that we also have a human face,” she stressed.
“That human face is to give to the vulnerable, to support those in need and to assist institutions that are doing important work.”
According to her, bar associations across the country used the Mother’s Day period to support orphanages, children’s homes and healthcare facilities, with the Greater Accra Bar selecting Pantang Psychiatric Hospital for this year’s outreach.
“We are here to donate to the women under your care, and we think it is right and appropriate to do so as part of the Mother’s Day celebration,” she stated.
Mrs. Ghartey also praised members of the association for contributing towards what she described as one of the most significant donation exercises undertaken by the group in recent years.
“People went out of their way to consider what you would need and tried their very best to ensure we deliver on this,” she added.
Receiving the items on behalf of the hospital, the Director of Pantang Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Yennusom Maalug, expressed gratitude to the GBA but highlighted the severe operational and infrastructural challenges facing the hospital.
Dr. Maalug revealed that many of the hospital’s buildings are over 50 years old and require urgent renovation.
“Most of our buildings are over 50 years old. We are doing our best to keep them in shape, but the cost is just too much,” he explained.
He further disclosed that the hospital faces recurring shortages of mattresses and spends nearly 30 per cent of its internally generated funds on feeding patients.
“We have about 150 clients on admission. You can imagine having to feed them morning, afternoon and evening. It is a lot,” he stated.
Dr. Maalug appealed to corporate organisations, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other stakeholders to support the hospital’s farm project initiative aimed at producing food to sustain patients and generate additional revenue.
He further appealed to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as Mahama Cares, to extend support to persons battling mental health conditions.
“Mental disorders are also non-communicable diseases, so we are appealing to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to consider mental health disorders and support vulnerable people who cannot afford treatment,” he added.
By Vera Owusu Sarpong & Florence Asamoah Adom