DEVELOP MAINTENANCE CULTURE FOR KATH'S ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY CENTRE (PAGE 25)

The Minister of Health, Dr George Sipa–Adjah Yankey, has directed the management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to develop an effective and efficient culture of maintenance at the newly constructed accident and emergency centre of the hospital.
That, he said, would help to preserve both the infrastructure and equipment at the emergency centre for the benefit of the present and future generations.
Describing the structure, which was inaugurated in November last year, as a magnificent edifice, the minister said the investment made in developing the infrastructure would not yield any benefits if the lackadaisical way of maintenance inherited over the years was extended to the newly constructed Accident and Emergency Centre of KATH.
Dr Yankey gave the directive when he paid a familiarisation visit to KATH last Saturday and formally inspected all the facilities.
Among the areas he visited were the children’s and labour wards of the hospital, the main theatres, accident wards, general wards and all the facilities at the accident and emergency centre.
He also inspected the maternity and children’s block, work on which was started during the General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong’s Military government in 1974.
Later at a media encounter, Dr Yankey said he was not only impressed by the outstanding congenial atmosphere at KATH, but found the accident and emergency centre as an edifice that should be regularly maintained.
He commended the management of KATH for contracting a firm that would maintain the structure and equipment for the next six years, but stressed the need for them to initiate their own maintenance scheme after the expiration of the six-year contract.
This, he said, would enhance the preservation of both the structure and equipment to enable the present and future generations to enjoy their full benefits.
He expressed concern about the congestion at both the children’s and labour wards at the old block and said they undermined efficient and effective delivery of medical services.
He, therefore, gave the assurance that he would initiate policies and programmes that would enhance the early completion of the children’s and maternity blocks to enhance quality services delivery and reduce infant and maternal mortality at the hospital.
Dr Yankey advised the Chief Executive of the KATH, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, to exercise proper supervision of the project to enable him to render proper accounts anytime it was needed.