General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr Richard Selormey, has accused Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) of being biased in retrieving money owed to it by various institutions.

The ECG on Wednesday, March 13, issued a notice to 91 hospitals in various parts of the country threatening to disconnect them from the national grid should they fail to settle their debt within 72 hours.

Among the notable hospitals facing potential disconnection are the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the 37 Military Hospital, Ridge Hospital in the Greater Accra region, Komfo Anokye and Manhyia Government Hospitals in the Ashanti region, Ho Teaching Hospital in the Volta region, and Kyebi Government Hospital in the Eastern region.

He noted that the debt owed by the health institutions amounts to just 4.5% of ECG's total debt, however, ECG has left other agencies to pursue those in the health sector.

He therefore requested that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) go ahead with its threat to take 91 hospitals off the national grid over outstanding bills.

According to Dr Selormey that is the only step the power provider can take since its 72-hour ultimatum for payment of GH¢261 million is unrealistic.

“Why do you want to suck from the healthcare when bigger chunks are waiting?” the General Secretary quizzed.

“ECG needs to be realistic, the health facilities cannot pay the debt within the three-day ultimatum they have been given, and if they are actually going to disconnect, then they would have to disconnect all the facilities and we will all sit and watch what the government does,” he said on JoyNews.

He also noted that the average Ghanaian in need of healthcare will bear the brunt should the hospitals be unable to operate efficiently due to the absence of electricity.

Dr Selormey warned that if ECG proceeds with disconnections at these health facilities, it would have significant repercussions for patient care.

Dr Selormey, thus called on ECG to engage in further discussions with all stakeholders, urging the company to reconsider its ultimatum.

“The 72 hours, I think it is unreasonable and won’t be adhered to by anybody,” he said on Wednesday.