Modern facilities for KATH

With the aim of providing adequate, efficient and a first class medical handling of accident and emergency cases in the northern sector of the country, a state-of-the-art National Accident and Emergency Centre has been constructed at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.

The €74.925 million project was commissioned by President Kufuor on Saturday.

The ultra-modern health facility, solely funded by the Ghanaian government with funds from the HIPC and the National Health Insurance Fund, also included the construction of a modern Pathology Centre with histopathology laboratories and a mortuary.

A comprehensive renovation, expansion and equipping of Specialist Out-Patient-Department was also undertaken.

The other component of the project included the supply and installation of modern equipment to selected clinical facilities of the hospital and technical assistance involving training of technical and professional personnel.

As well, the government pledged a five-year comprehensive maintenance plan including spare parts and consumables for two years of operation.

The layout of the National A&E Centre has all the clinical areas on the ground and first floors with administration, Central Command and education facilities on the second floor.

A helipad is on the roof over the administration and Education areas with ramp access to the first and ground floors.

A German medical facility construction company, German Technology, executed the project, which took three years to complete.

Commissioning the edifice, President Kufuor said the centre forms part of government's long-term strategy for reducing the high number of deaths and disabilities due to accidents in the country.

He said it should be a source of pride that the nation is able to provide funds internally to support strategic projects without help from foreign donor partners.

This to him indicated the country"s readiness to meet major financial demands.

According to President Kufuor, government, recognising the urgent need for a more targeted approach towards the prevention of deaths and disabilities has put in place measures to ensure that accident victims are able to access prompt and effective care.

He was also happy that the National Ambulance Service has been able to serve its purposes.

"For the first time ever in Ghana we have established an Ambulance Service which, although in its formative years has started making impacts on the care of accident victims', President Kufuor stated, hinting that the services will be expanded to cover the entire country.

He said that the government's commitment to the health needs of the nation has been demonstrated with the establishment, upgrading and refurbishment of health facilities across the length and breadth of the country

For the past five years, great emphasis has been placed on ensuring emergency preparedness of facilities and the training of qualified personnel, while policies related to the care of accident victims have been reviewed to enhance the effective handling of accidents and emergencies.

President Kufuor further disclosed that his government has concluded plans to build two new regional hospitals which will be equipped with the state-of-the-art medical facilities at Wa and Kumasi. Funds have also been sourced from the government of Saudi Arabia for the rehabilitation the Bolgatanga regional hospital.

Major Courage Quashigah (rtd), Minister of Health, announced that his ministry is to construct seven new district hospitals at Winneba, Twifo Praso, Konongo/Odumase, Tepa, Wenchi, Salaga, Madina/Adenta as well as five new polyclinics at Karaga, Kpandai, Tatale, Buipe and Janga, with Austrian funds.

The government of the People's Republic of China has also approved the construction of a specialised hospital with emphasis on malaria, maternal and child health at Teshie, the minister added.

Anthony Nsiah Asare, Chief Executive Officer of KATH was grateful to the government, particularly president Kufuor for his personal commitment to ensure the completion of the centre.

He said the hospital has actively sought best practices in the management of the A&E centre from countries like Israel, Germany, U.K, U.S.A, and Italy with the view of instituting functional management structures for the effective running and maintenance of the centre.  

The Board Chairman of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Oheneba Nana Agyemang Atwereboana, who also represented the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, stated that KATH will forever remain appreciative to the NPP government under whose administration the hospital has seen tremendous facility improvement.