The Paga Youth Movement (PAYOM) has presented Ghc20,000 to Dr. Ama Antwiwaa Adu Appiah, a Medical Officer at the Paga Hospital in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region, in recognition of her decision to accept a posting to the facility despite the reluctance of many health professionals to work in the area.
The presentation was made by the Vice Chairman of PAYOM, Frederick Wugaa, together with other executives, on behalf of the Chairman, Wenawome Duriyem Aborah.
Mr. Wugaa said the gesture was to express the community’s appreciation for Dr. Adu Appiah’s commitment to serving the people of Paga.
“When we heard that a medical doctor had accepted posting to Paga Hospital, it brought great joy to us as an association and as a community. We know many doctors have declined postings here, so her decision to come and save lives is truly commendable,” he said.
He noted that the cash donation was intended to make the doctor’s stay in the community more comfortable and encourage her to continue serving.
In addition to the cash donation, PAYOM announced another GH¢10,000 to improve the hospital’s consulting rooms after management raised concerns about the poor condition of the facility.
Mr. Wugaa said the youth group would work with hospital authorities to identify priority areas requiring urgent attention to improve the working environment for medical staff.
“If we appreciate her coming but fail to provide a conducive environment for her to work, then we are not helping ourselves. We want to support the hospital to improve healthcare delivery,” he added.
Receiving the donation, Dr. Ama Antwiwaa Adu Appiah expressed gratitude to the youth group for the warm reception and support she has received since arriving at the hospital.
She described her stay in Paga as a learning experience and attributed her ability to continue serving in the community to the dedication and encouragement of the hospital staff.
“The staff of Paga Hospital is the reason I am still here. From the nurses to the physician assistants, laboratory staff, and orderlies, they have supported and encouraged me every day,” she said.
Dr. Adu Appiah appealed to the community to extend similar appreciation to the entire hospital workforce, stressing that quality healthcare delivery is a collective effort.
“I do hope that Paga Youth will not identify only me as the heroine. Before I came, the staff were already serving the people diligently. Healthcare delivery is not about the doctor alone; it is about the nurses, the physician assistants, the laboratory staff, the orderlies, and even the patients themselves,” she stated.
She further announced that she would share the donation with members of staff as a source of motivation and appreciation for their unwavering support.
“I receive this gift with gratitude, but it will not remain with me alone. I will gladly share it with the staff of Paga Hospital because they have stood by me, prayed with me, and worked with me throughout my stay,” she added.
Head of Finance at the Paga Hospital, John Bosco Asobayire, who received the donation on behalf of management, commended the youth group for what he described as an unprecedented demonstration of community support for healthcare delivery.
“For the first time, I have seen a community youth group so concerned about the welfare of health workers. This spirit of love and support is worth appreciating,” he said.
Mr. Asobayire encouraged the youth to sustain the initiative, noting that stronger collaboration between the hospital and the community would help address some of the facility’s pressing challenges and improve healthcare services for residents.
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