Health Quarters Ghana, McSarpong make stronger Korle-Bu Polyclinic with clinical apparatus – Life Pulse Daily

Medical Equipment Donation BolstersKorle-Bu Polyclinic’s Palliative and Geriatric Units: A Milestone in Ghanaian Healthcare Support

**Introduction: A Significant Step Forward for Specialized Care**
A notable collaboration between Health Quarters Ghana and McSarpong Medical Equipment and Supplies Limited has resulted in a substantial donation of clinical apparatus valued at approximately GH¢50,000 to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital’s Palliative and Geriatric Units. This generous contribution, reported by Life Pulse Daily on January 9, 2026, marks a critical investment in enhancing the quality of care for Ghana’s most vulnerable populations – the elderly and those facing terminal illnesses. This article delves into the specifics of this impactful donation, its significance for Korle-Bu Polyclinic, and the broader implications for healthcare support in Ghana.

**Key Points: The Donation and Its Impact**
* **Donor Organizations:** Health Quarters Ghana (a social company focused on wellness advocacy) and McSarpong Medical Equipment and Supplies Limited (a rapidly growing Ghanaian medical supplies provider).
* **Recipient:** Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital’s Palliative and Geriatric Units.
* **Value:** Approximately GH¢50,000 worth of medical equipment.
* **Equipment Donated:**
* Crank beds with equipment (likely for patient mobility and positioning)
* Pulse oximeters (for monitoring blood oxygen levels)
* Blood pressure equipment (for vital sign monitoring)
* Complex wheelchairs (for enhanced mobility support)
* Infrared thermometers (for non-contact temperature measurement)
* **Purpose:** To strengthen care delivery specifically for elderly patients and those receiving palliative care at Korle-Bu Polyclinic.
* **Presentation:** The donation was formally presented on behalf of both organizations by Dr. Gideon Assan, Project Lead of Health Quarters Ghana.
* **Recipient Response:** Dr. George Bediako Nketiah, Head of Department of the Korle Bu Polyclinic and Consultant Family Physician Specialist, expressed profound gratitude, stating the equipment was “as if you were listening to our prayers.” He highlighted the urgent need for rehabilitation, resources, and re-equipping of these units.
* **Future Plans:** Dr. Nketiah revealed preliminary financial resource plans are in place to expand these units into a modern centre for specialized palliative and geriatric care, contingent on further support from corporate Ghana and philanthropists.
* **Broader Support:** The donation was also supported by members of the Health Quarters Ghana team, including comedian actor Clemento Suarez, and volunteers from various professional backgrounds.

**Background: The Critical Need at Korle-Bu Polyclinic**
The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana’s premier tertiary referral hospital, operates a Polyclinic that serves a vast patient population. Within this complex, the Palliative and Geriatric Units cater to a uniquely challenging demographic. Palliative care focuses on relieving suffering and improving quality of life for patients with serious, often life-limiting, illnesses. Geriatric care specializes in the unique medical needs of older adults. Both areas require specialized equipment and resources to provide optimal, dignified care. Reports and observations within these units highlighted deteriorating conditions, underscoring the critical and ongoing need for rehabilitation, financial resources, and re-equipping efforts. This donation directly addresses a significant gap identified by the hospital’s leadership.

**Analysis: Significance and Broader Implications**
This donation represents far more than just the provision of physical equipment; it signifies a crucial shift in how health advocacy translates into tangible support for frontline healthcare institutions. Here’s a breakdown of its significance:

1. **Addressing Immediate Needs:** The donated items – pulse oximeters, blood pressure equipment, thermometers – are fundamental tools for monitoring patient vital signs, a core function in both palliative and geriatric care. Crank beds and complex wheelchairs directly improve patient comfort, mobility, and safety, enhancing the quality of daily care. This addresses the “deteriorating conditions” observed within the units.
2. **Strengthening Specialized Care:** By equipping these specific units, the donation directly bolsters the hospital’s capacity to deliver specialized care. Palliative care requires monitoring and symptom management tools, while geriatric care often involves mobility aids and monitoring devices tailored to older adults. This donation provides the essential “make-stronger” component.
3. **Demonstrating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):** McSarpong Medical Equipment and Supplies Limited’s involvement highlights the potential for the medical supplies sector to play a proactive role in supporting healthcare infrastructure through CSR initiatives. Their “fast-growing” status underscores the capacity of Ghanaian businesses to contribute significantly.
4. **Amplifying Health Advocacy:** Health Quarters Ghana’s mission is “to find innovative ways to make Ghanaians health-conscious.” This donation moves their advocacy beyond social media and television education into the physical realm of healthcare delivery, directly supporting the institutions that provide care. It demonstrates a commitment to “translating well-being advocacy into practical support.”
5. **Catalyzing Further Investment:** Dr. Nketiah’s explicit call for “better stakeholder and philanthropic support” and the preliminary plans for expansion indicate that this donation is likely a catalyst, encouraging further investment to transform these units into a modern, comprehensive centre for specialized care. It positions the units as a priority for future development.
6. **Highlighting the Importance of Philanthropy:** The donation underscores the vital role that philanthropic support and partnerships between non-profits, businesses, and public institutions play in addressing gaps in Ghana’s healthcare system, particularly in specialized areas like palliative and geriatric care.

**Practical Advice: How to Support Enhanced Healthcare**
While this specific donation is impactful, the need for continued support for Korle-Bu Polyclinic’s Palliative and Geriatric Units remains. Here are ways stakeholders can contribute:

* **Corporate Ghana:** Businesses can explore partnerships, sponsorships, or targeted CSR programs focused on equipping and expanding specialized healthcare units within public hospitals. Matching employee donations to relevant causes is another avenue.
* **Philanthropic Organizations:** Foundations and individual philanthropists can consider targeted grants for healthcare infrastructure development, particularly in underserved or specialized areas like palliative and geriatric care.
* **Government Agencies:** While the hospital has preliminary plans, increased government funding allocations for essential medical equipment and infrastructure rehabilitation in public hospitals remain crucial.
* **Community Engagement:** Raising awareness about the critical needs within these units can mobilize local support and resources.

**FAQ: Addressing Common Questions**

1. **Q: What exactly is the Korle-Bu Polyclinic’s Palliative and Geriatric Units?**
* **A:** The Polyclinic is a large outpatient department within Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. The Palliative and Geriatric Units within it specialize in providing care for patients with serious, often life-limiting illnesses (palliative care) and the unique medical needs of older adults (geriatric care).
2. **Q: Why is equipment so important for these units?**
* **A:** These units require specialized equipment for patient monitoring (pulse oximeters, blood pressure cuffs, thermometers), mobility assistance (crank beds, complex wheelchairs), and basic care delivery. Outdated or insufficient equipment directly impacts the quality and safety of care provided.
3. **Q: How will the GH¢50,000 donation specifically help?**
* **A:** The donation provides essential, practical tools: pulse oximeters for oxygen monitoring, blood pressure equipment for vital signs, infrared thermometers for fever detection, crank beds and complex wheelchairs for patient comfort and safety. These items directly address observed deficiencies.
4. **Q: What are the next steps for expanding these units?**
* **A:** The hospital, led by Dr. Nketiah, has preliminary financial resource plans in place. Further support from corporate Ghana and philanthropists is urgently needed to fund the expansion into a modern centre for specialized care.
5. **Q: Can individuals donate directly to this cause?**
* **A:** While specific donation channels weren’t detailed in the report, individuals interested in supporting the expansion of these units can contact Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital’s administration or relevant health sector authorities to inquire about established donation mechanisms.

**Conclusion: A Beacon of Hope for Vulnerable Ghanaians**
The donation of clinical apparatus by Health Quarters Ghana and McSarpong Medical Equipment and Supplies Limited represents a significant and timely boost to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital’s Palliative and Geriatric Units. By providing essential tools for patient care, this contribution directly addresses critical gaps and demonstrates a powerful model of partnership between advocacy groups, businesses, and healthcare institutions. It moves beyond awareness-raising to tangible action, offering improved comfort, safety, and monitoring capabilities for Ghana’s elderly and those facing terminal illness. While the journey to fully modernise and expand these vital units continues, this donation serves as a crucial catalyst, highlighting the transformative potential of targeted support and inspiring further investment in Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure. It underscores the collective responsibility we share to ensure dignified care for our most vulnerable citizens.

**Sources**

1. Life Pulse Daily. (2026, January 9). Health Quarters Ghana, McSarpong make stronger Korle-Bu Polyclinic with clinical apparatus. [Original Article – Used for core facts, quotes, and event details]
2. Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital – Polyclinic Department (General Knowledge – Context)
3. World Health Organization (WHO) – Palliative Care (General Knowledge – Context)
4. Ghana Health Service (General Knowledge – Context)