Footballer David Atanga has brought relief to dozens of needy patients at the Upper East Regional Hospital after paying medical bills worth over GH¢20,000 for those unable to afford care.
The forward, who plays for Wolfsberger in the Austrian Bundesliga and hails from Bongo Namoo, redirected his usual community football activities to instead “put a smile on the faces” of vulnerable patients battling health challenges.
Mr. Atanga said he returned home from Austria intending to visit the hospital’s maternity ward and support mothers unable to pay their bills. However, after meeting hospital management and the Social Welfare Unit, he expanded the gesture.
“After meeting with the management and the Social Welfare Unit, they said other wards, including the Emergency and Accident Unit and the Children’s Ward, also have needy patients.
“My team and I quickly changed the plan to visit almost all the wards with patients who could not pay their medical bills,” he said.
Speaking on his initiative, the Bongo native said he deliberately skipped his annual football games this trip to focus on patients in critical need.
“Giving back to society is something I believe in so much, and I cannot do that without considering the vulnerable in our communities. I needed to put a smile on the faces of people who are battling for their lives in the hospital,” Mr. Atanga stated.
The footballer declined to disclose the identities or exact number of patients he assisted.
A representative of the hospital’s Social Welfare Unit, Lillian Vuu, who helped identify beneficiaries, expressed gratitude for the support.
“At the regional hospital, we are not finding it easy with patients who come to the facility with very critical health issues without relatives to support them. We appreciate David Atanga for this intervention,” she said.
Mr. Atanga currently plays for Wolfsberger in Austria. The act adds to growing contributions by Upper East-born sports personalities toward health and community welfare in the region.
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