The International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) has donated three Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) machines to psychiatric hospitals to boost psychiatric healthcare across the country.
The equipment, which were presented to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mental Health Authority, Dr Akwasi Osei, is to be used to induce seizures to provide relief from mental disorders.
Speaking at the press conference, Dr Osei indicated that the ECT machine gives treatment to patients who otherwise may lose their quality of life to a debilitating mental health, adding that “it shortens the duration of treatment and of living with disability and returns the patient to a much improved quality of life”.
He stated that the three machines are going to be deployed to all the psychiatric hospitals across the country, noting that only Accra Psychiatric Hospital has one, and even that, it easily breaks down.
“Ankaful and Pantang hospitals, for instance, have not been using the therapy because for a very long time they do not have the machines. Accra Psychiatric hospital has, but if often breaks down when in use,” he further said.
The equipment, he mentioned, would also help in dealing with depression, which mostly causes persons and mothers to threaten suicide.
The Regional Overseer of IGCG, Reverend Anthony Cudjoe, expressed that this kind gesture marks the 35th anniversary of the church.
“In celebrating our 35th anniversary, ICGC committed to two healthcare interventions; namely, the collective donation of blood and the procurement of mental health equipment, ” Rev Cudjoe said.
He indicated that in addition to the equipment, the church has raised over 3,500 pints of blood for the National Blood Service.
The regional overseer emphasised the importance of donating blood, adding that “despite medical and technology advances, blood can’t be made, so donations are the only way we can give blood to those who need it, and this can give someone a chance to live”.
Source: The Finder
