A year ago today, I woke up to the devastating news of the gruesome murder of a friend, a humanitarian, one who was in on this initiative. This development was further compounded by the outbreak of COVID in Ghana 2 weeks later, pushing this planned announcement several months forward.
I have had some time to appraise, strategize and talk to a few more people and worked on a dedicated website ever since and I am proud to present the CommonHealth Fund to you.
Families across our communities work hard at the jobs they can access and yet most of them struggle to fight diseases and illnesses when they do befall us due to prevailing financial deficiencies in the average home.
13 years ago when I had my first placement in a hospital (as a student nurse), I encountered front-row experiences of suffering which were secondary to the presenting diseases or conditions. I met people who could not afford prescribed medications that were not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), pregnant women who couldn’t afford basic medications and food after spending long hours in queues, children and elderlies who were abandoned in care etc. Years on, about 80% of nurses and doctors who are empathetic like I am, continue to starve daily to help patients meet one need or the other. A lot has indeed changed over these years thankfully, but the problem persists if you looked closely.
Between 2017 and 2020, I surveyed and gathered some qualitative data on how to create a sustainable mechanism in my hospital to help this situation. I’m happy today to share the CommonHealth Fund with you and request your support to grow it into a formidable working system for us and by us, the common people. Anyone who has seen or felt the support of our non-profit (CLITH) within the past 5yrs since it’s inception or my support directly in diverse ways should feel the need to subscribe to this initiative.
Beginning and for the rest of this month and every other, I am requesting a subscription or commitment of the strength of 5, 50, 500 or 5000 in any currency you use, from at least 500 people. I am happy to begin this process with the first commitment of Ghs 500.00 this month. Also worthy of note is a $50.00 monthly commitment from Treasure Chest, a hospitality company operating in Burkina Faso.
The CommonHealth Fund in its initial 3 years (Phase 1) will support patients who struggle to settle their hospital bills or purchase essential medication in Richard Novati Catholic Hospital (RNCH), South Tongu District Hospital, Sogakope (SDH) both in South Tongu district where I work and the Akatsi South District Hospital (ASDH) 30 minutes away. The fund will also support all appeals for emergency care across the country with a predetermined amount, once veracity is confirmed.
At the end of March, a percentage of the generated seed fund will be used to support 10 families in Kasoa who are managing children with Cerebral palsy. This situation was brought to our attention by one of our volunteers on the field during these difficult times and we at CLITH feel the need and moral responsibility to extend a caring hand.
Many friends, companies and businesses in my circle including Flosell Farms (current national best aquaculture farm in Ghana) and our own Orchid Stitches (community-focused fashion house) have pledged their support to donate a small percentage of their earnings every month to sustain the first phase. Other organizations and individuals will be engaged further.
My clarion call to everyone listening to or reading this is to pick up your e-wallet and send 5, 50, 500 or 5000 of any currency to us on 0547733739 (Ghana Number registered to Eugene Tornyeavah). Text or Direct Message (DM) @telikemeugene on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to subscribe your widows might for the next 12, 24 or 36 months. My 5 GHs/USD/GBP/RS/CFA may feel negligible but put together we can make a difference every day. We will be accountable through quarterly financial audit updates at www.telikemeugene.org/charities.
My friend was a humanitarian who supported diverse people and institutions in his short lifetime. This was to be executed with him, I feel the need now, to do it for him. Help me observe a moment of silence for his fallen image wherever you are.
May his gentle soul and those of the gallant men and women we have lost, rest in serenity.
Thank you.