From Michael Boateng, Koase
The Catholic Diocese of Sunyani has inaugurated the St. Joseph’s Clinic at Koase in the Wenchi Municipality to provide services to the people of Asuogyaman and beyond.
Asuogyaman is made up of six different towns namely; Nkonsia, Koase, Beposo, Asuoano, Droboso and Yoyoano.
The Sunyani Diocesan Health Service Director, Rev. Sr. Wilhelmina Araba Mensah, at the inaugural ceremony narrated that the St. Joseph’s Clinic was established in 1986 under the direction of the then Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima, Wenchi.
According to Rev. Sr. Wilhelmina Mensah, the Clinic thereafter started facing lots of problems, resulting in poor patronage. Many interventions were made but yielded no positive outcome, and the Diocese had no option but to close it in January 204.
She said, shortly after the closure of the clinic, there were persistent requests from Nananom, the Catholic Faithful and the National Health Insurance Scheme for its re-opening, where His Lordship, Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi moved by the requests, directed the Diocesan Health Service Director to start renovation of the Clinic for use.
Reverend Sr. Wilhelmina Mensah disclosed that lots of money and effort have gone into the renovation and with the support of the contractor, Mr. Yaw Debie the work was completed successfully on time.
She continued that learning from the past, various meetings were held with the Chiefs and Elders and cross section of the People of Asuogyaman, as well as health personnel in preparation for the re-opening of the clinic.
The Diocesan Health Service Director said the St. Joseph’s Clinic has facilities to render the needed services, with an approval of the EPA to operate and is NHIS Accredited.
To her the inauguration of the new face of the Clinic commences a new chapter and that each stakeholder should be committed to the growth of the clinic.
The inauguration of the Clinic also coincided with the Climax of the Diocesan Celebration of the 22nd World Day of the Sick, which was constituted by Pope John Paul I of the blessed memory.
The World Day of the Sick is celebrated by Catholic Health Facilities and Catholic Health Workers all over the World on 11th of February every year, but the Diocesan day celebration was scheduled to coincide with the inauguration of the St. Joseph’s Clinic, under the theme; “Faith and Charity: We ought to lay Down Our lives for one Another” (1 John 3:16).
Wilhelmina Mensah said the Sunyani Diocesan Health Service puts a lot emphasis on this celebration and devotes a whole week for it, by carrying out various health activities for the benefit of the people in the country.
The Vicar General of Sunyani Diocese, Monsignor George Kwame Kumi who inaugurated the St. Joseph’s Clinic on behalf of the Bishop read the message from Pope Francis for the 22nd World Day of the Sick 2014, indicating that “the church sees in you dear sick people, the special presence of the suffering Christ.”
Monsignor Kumi said Pope Francis highlights that mankind should approach those who are in need of care with tenderness, and called on the staff of the St. Joseph’s Clinic to share in the suffering of the sick, because “as one shares in the suffering of the sick one is drawn into the heart of God, who is love.”