70% of KATH beds ‘need replacement’

Authorities at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) say over 70% of beds at the health facility are out of use and need replacement.

Chief Executive, Dr Oheneba Owusu Danso, said management has been compelled to use the dilapidated beds until new ones are procured.

Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is the only referral centre for health care delivery in the entire Northern Zone of Ghana.

It provides specialist services to about eight of the 10 existing regions.

Apart from the lack of an adequate number of beds, the KATH Chief Executive also said the beds at the facility are of poor quality and do not provide convenience to both patients and health personnel.

Dr  Owusu-Danso said the current situation is affecting the smooth delivery of quality health care services to patients.

“In terms of the true and full function of the beds, a lot of them have lost their functions, in terms of their movements and so we are trying to vary their functions for specific patients.”

“We have been witnesses to [2018’s] clarion as far as the No Bed Syndrome is concerned; KATH has not been left out,” he said.

Equipment

The no-bed syndrome is only part of the bigger equipment challenge at the facility. Dr Owusu Danso explained that KATH is in critical need of other hospital equipment.

 “We need assistance,” he said adding that the strategic location of the hospital and the kind of specialised services it provides makes the assistance critical.

Dr Owusu-Danso reveals the list of equipment needed is estimated at about GHS70 million.

Endowment Fund

In the last quarter of 2018, the hospital established an Endowment Fund to raise funds to address its operational challenges.

Subsequently, an 11-member Board of Trustees was set up by the Board of Directors with oversight responsibility of managing the KATH Endowment Fund.

The Trustees, through the fund, have the challenge to encourage or create the opportunity for public-spirited individuals and organisations to come to the aid of the hospital to achieve its goal in the health delivery system.

“We are hoping to raise a lot of money for investments of which we can use the interest for various developments in the hospital. So beyond the direct contribution of funds, we are also accepting equipment donations just like this one as part of the drive to improve the services that we provide here,” Dr Owusu-Danso said.

Donation

Meanwhile, a Deputy Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Francis Asenso Boakye, has donated 20 new beds to the hospital in a bid to bring some relief to the facility.

“It is my token response to their call for assistance. I hope that once some of us have started other well-wishers will also come in and help.”

“I am hopeful that these beds will be put in good use and that they will also take good care of them so that they will last for the benefit of users of the hospital,” he said.

Meanwhile, hospital officials are calling on benevolent individuals and corporate institutions to support the hospital.

“When we get such brand new beds they come in very timely for the replacement for specific areas especially at the accident and emergency,” Dr Owusu-Danso said.