KATH Computerizes Operations

Section of the KATH staff present at the two-day event

STARTING THIS year, the authorities at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi will deploy a Hospital Administration and Management Software (HAMS) system to comprehensively computerize all aspects of the hospital's operations.

Chief Executive Officer of KATH Prof. Ohene Adjei said the new initiative was geared towards improving operational efficiency and revenue mobilization.

Speaking at KATH's 2012 Annual Performance Review Workshop on Wednesday, Prof Adjei entreated the directorate and unit heads at the hospital to wholeheartedly support the new initiative since it was good for the hospital.

The two-day programme was used by the hospital to take stock of its performance for last year and help put effective mechanisms in place for the new year.

Prof Adjei stated that the programme's 'successful roll-out will enhance clinical care and the financial fortunes of the hospital'.

He said management of the hospital also intended to enter into a cash collection agreement with one of the local banks, as part of efforts to maximize revenue collections at the hospital.

Prof Adjei said KATH, in 2013, planned to lay greater emphasis on improving quality of care, especially in the area of maternal and child health and improving staff attitude, training and welfare.

He said other priorities would be the intensification of resource mobilization drives, enhancing preventive maintenance activities, expanding outreach and strengthening collaboration with the Ghana Health Service and other partners.

Prof. Adjei noted that in pursuance of the hospital's target, 'KATH targets to see 250,482 Special OPD cases, 45,500 in-patient admissions, 26,000 minor and major surgical operations, 11,000 supervised deliveries and 22,950 physiotherapy services.'

The KATH boss said replacement of aged equipment at the hospital would be a priority in 2013, disclosing that the hospital had taken delivery of 'two mobile digital X-rays, two C-arm monitors, three colour Dopplers with two sets of probes, among others'.

He disclosed that plans were far afoot by management to purchase a new oxygen plant to replace the old and unreliable one currently in use, noting that some new equipment were also expected under the government's national medical equipment.

He said despite some of the nagging difficulties that had adverse effects on KATH, the hospital managed to make some giant strides which it hoped to build on this year.

Prof. Adjei mentioned multiple industrial actions by section of the hospital's staff, the low health insurance tariffs and the continued deterioration of ageing facilities as some of the core challenges that the hospital faced last year.

On the positives recorded at the hospital under the year under review, he said the water and power supply situation at KATH had been improved, adding that construction works on the eye center and other projects had reached advanced stages.

Prof. Adjei said the hospital desired to improve upon its gains recorded last year, so he passionately appealed for the total support of staff to help management realize its goals.

He appealed to the staff to adopt dialogues to drum home their grievances and avoid industrial actions since they had the potential of derailing KATH from the path of glory.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi