From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.
After succeeding in snatching a KIA Pride taxi from its owner around Tanoso in Kumasi early last year, luck finally run out on two young men, Joseph Mensah, alias Joe and Prince Adu Amankwah, who conspired to undertake the operation.
The two were arrested a few weeks later by the Mampong Police in the Ashanti Region, who got wind of their operation.
Police are also hunting for one Lalas, who was said to be an accomplice.
They pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to rob and robbing when they appeared before a Kumasi Circuit Court presided over by Justice E. Amoo-Yartey, but after their trial, they were found guilty of the offence and were convicted to serve a 40 year jail term each.
Giving the facts of the case, a State Attorney, Ms Anita R.D. Wase, who was the prosecutor, said last year, the Mampong divisional police command got information that a KIA Pride with registration number AW 3686 Z had been hidden in a bush at Asaam.
She said when the police traced the vehicle, they realised that one of its back tyres was deflated, and their investigations led to the arrest of Joseph Mensah, who accepted that he was the caretaker of the vehicle.
She said after his arrest, Mensah also told the police that the car developed a fault, so the owners left it with him with an excuse that they would bring a mechanic to repair it.
She said the convict however, failed to produce an ignition key when the police requested for it.
She said as part of their investigation, Mensah also led the police to arrest Prince Adu Amankwah at his hideout at Abenase, near Ejisu.
According to Ms Wase, at Abenase , Amakwah told the police that he was the owner of the vehicle, but could also not produce the ignition key when he was requested to do so, and he later confessed that he was not the rightful owner of the vehicle.
The prosecutor said during their investigation, it was revealed that the convicts planned with one Lalas, now at large, to snatch the taxi from its owner.
She said it was Mensah who masterminded the operation, promising to offer GH¢500 each to Amankwah and Lalas if the operation was successful.
Ms Wase said based on the assurance, the three converged at Kejetia in Kumasi and hired the vehicle with the pretext of going to Tanoso New Site.
According to the prosecutor, it was on their way that Mensah who was seated at the passenger seat in the front asked the driver to stop for him to attend to nature’s call, and as soon as the driver slowed down, Mensah quickly turned off the ignition key, and together with his accomplices, assaulted the driver and snatched the car from him.
The State Attorney said Mensah quickly took charge of the vehicle and sped off, leaving the driver stranded.
She said after snatching the vehicle,the three went to Kumasi and used the Wiamoase route through Kofiase and finally hid the vehicle at Asaam, where investigations later made it possible for it to be recovered.
Friday, June 25, 2010
KOMFO ANOKYE HOSPITAL NOW GROWS HAIR (MIRROR, PAGE 35, JUNE 26, 2010)
From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.
Young men and women who have been losing their hair, causing them to go bald prematurely now have the opportunity to grow their hair at the dermatology clinic at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.
Others with various skin diseases such as acne, causing them to be traumatised and resort to self medication to address their facial problems also have the opportunity to access services at the clinic to address their predicaments.
Established barely a year ago, the dermatology clinic at the KATH has treated about 1300 patients with various skin diseases, including those who have been losing their hair prematurely.
So far, patients from the Ashanti Region and others from the northern sector of Ghana have been the main beneficiaries from the dermatology clinic, as they troop there in their numbers to access their services.
“Baldness is a skin disease which can easily be treated, so people with such problems should seek our services if they want to grow their hairs”.
These were the encouraging words of Dr Martin Kofi Agyei, when The Mirror caught up with him at his office at the KATH.
He said the problem cropped up from the use of some drugs and other infections, and therefore, reiterated the need for the public to seek medical treatment instead of resorting to self medication.
He said self medication, especially regarding acne and other skin diseases, usually compounds the problem, making treatment very difficult.
Dr Agyei, who is the Head of the Dermatology Department, pointed out that the public have taken skin diseases for granted “applying all forms of drugs before seeking medical care at a time the situation has worsened”.
“ If patients use the hospital as a last resort, after applying various drugs , soaps and pomade, we may not be able to identify the symptom of the diseases to enable us prescribe the correct drug for treatment. It is therefore, important for them to report to the hospital as soon as they experience one form of skin disease or another,” he advised.
Dr Agyei pointed out that skin diseases can affect the mouth, head, vulva and nails among other parts of the body, stressing “we take very good care of hair loss that affects both males and females. We also take care of the nails that have been diseased, as well as ringworms which are common among school children. We also take care of all forms of skin diseases at the face and mouth which induce patients to seek medication from the dentists”.
Dr Agyei also told the paper “skin diseases can occur as a result of infections and the effects of using some drugs.
“ Infections and the effects of the use of some drugs could result in blistering disorders, with the skin peeling off under extreme cases”. He explained.
Explaining further, he said, “ in cases where drugs have severe effect on the patient, one can lose the whole skin as if she/he has suffered severe burns.There is also a condition that can affect the nose, and when such condition affect the nails, they change colour, and in extreme cases one can totally lose the nails”.
He also hinted that skin diseases can affect the genital areas, but said “in such cases, patients need to be counselled to determine how the disease was contracted”.
According to Dr Agyei, some skin diseases are genetic and patients need to be treated effectively to prevent them from passing them to their offsprings .
“We have been providing services to patients with assorted skin disorders since may last year, and the impact has been tremendous” he noted, adding “patients from Ashanti and the entire northern sector of Ghana have been visiting on a daily basis, indicating that we are offering quality services to them” he confided.
Young men and women who have been losing their hair, causing them to go bald prematurely now have the opportunity to grow their hair at the dermatology clinic at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.
Others with various skin diseases such as acne, causing them to be traumatised and resort to self medication to address their facial problems also have the opportunity to access services at the clinic to address their predicaments.
Established barely a year ago, the dermatology clinic at the KATH has treated about 1300 patients with various skin diseases, including those who have been losing their hair prematurely.
So far, patients from the Ashanti Region and others from the northern sector of Ghana have been the main beneficiaries from the dermatology clinic, as they troop there in their numbers to access their services.
“Baldness is a skin disease which can easily be treated, so people with such problems should seek our services if they want to grow their hairs”.
These were the encouraging words of Dr Martin Kofi Agyei, when The Mirror caught up with him at his office at the KATH.
He said the problem cropped up from the use of some drugs and other infections, and therefore, reiterated the need for the public to seek medical treatment instead of resorting to self medication.
He said self medication, especially regarding acne and other skin diseases, usually compounds the problem, making treatment very difficult.
Dr Agyei, who is the Head of the Dermatology Department, pointed out that the public have taken skin diseases for granted “applying all forms of drugs before seeking medical care at a time the situation has worsened”.
“ If patients use the hospital as a last resort, after applying various drugs , soaps and pomade, we may not be able to identify the symptom of the diseases to enable us prescribe the correct drug for treatment. It is therefore, important for them to report to the hospital as soon as they experience one form of skin disease or another,” he advised.
Dr Agyei pointed out that skin diseases can affect the mouth, head, vulva and nails among other parts of the body, stressing “we take very good care of hair loss that affects both males and females. We also take care of the nails that have been diseased, as well as ringworms which are common among school children. We also take care of all forms of skin diseases at the face and mouth which induce patients to seek medication from the dentists”.
Dr Agyei also told the paper “skin diseases can occur as a result of infections and the effects of using some drugs.
“ Infections and the effects of the use of some drugs could result in blistering disorders, with the skin peeling off under extreme cases”. He explained.
Explaining further, he said, “ in cases where drugs have severe effect on the patient, one can lose the whole skin as if she/he has suffered severe burns.There is also a condition that can affect the nose, and when such condition affect the nails, they change colour, and in extreme cases one can totally lose the nails”.
He also hinted that skin diseases can affect the genital areas, but said “in such cases, patients need to be counselled to determine how the disease was contracted”.
According to Dr Agyei, some skin diseases are genetic and patients need to be treated effectively to prevent them from passing them to their offsprings .
“We have been providing services to patients with assorted skin disorders since may last year, and the impact has been tremendous” he noted, adding “patients from Ashanti and the entire northern sector of Ghana have been visiting on a daily basis, indicating that we are offering quality services to them” he confided.
Friday, June 18, 2010
ASANTEMAN ASSOCIATION ASSISTS KOMFO ANOKYE HOSPITAL (PAGE 22, JUNE 18, 2010)
MEMBERS of the Asanteman association in Belgium have donated five wheelchairs and other medical items to the A 3 ward of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as part of their contribution to promoting quality medical care at the hospital.
The items, estimated at GH¢2000, also included five digital thermometers and 10 BP apparatus.
The queen of the Asanteman Association in Ghana, Nana Tiwaa Mmorosa, presented the items on behalf of the association.
The association, which adopted the A3 ward 10 years ago, had over the years donated a number of items, including fridges, television sets, bed sheets, curtains and stoves to the hospital administration.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the donation, Nana Tiwaa Mmorosa, said the association adopted the ward in order to support the management to provide quality healthcare delivery for pregnant women.
She gave the assurance that the members would continue to collaborate with the hospital’s administrators in diverse ways to enhance quality health delivery in the country.
The acting Director of Nursing Services at the hospital, Ms Gifty Fanila Abankwa, who received the items on behalf of the hospital, commended the association for its continuous support for the hospital.
She promised the items would be put to good use.
The items, estimated at GH¢2000, also included five digital thermometers and 10 BP apparatus.
The queen of the Asanteman Association in Ghana, Nana Tiwaa Mmorosa, presented the items on behalf of the association.
The association, which adopted the A3 ward 10 years ago, had over the years donated a number of items, including fridges, television sets, bed sheets, curtains and stoves to the hospital administration.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the donation, Nana Tiwaa Mmorosa, said the association adopted the ward in order to support the management to provide quality healthcare delivery for pregnant women.
She gave the assurance that the members would continue to collaborate with the hospital’s administrators in diverse ways to enhance quality health delivery in the country.
The acting Director of Nursing Services at the hospital, Ms Gifty Fanila Abankwa, who received the items on behalf of the hospital, commended the association for its continuous support for the hospital.
She promised the items would be put to good use.
Friday, June 11, 2010
ITALY MARKS REPULIC DAY IN GHANA (PAGE 35, MIRROR, JUNE 11, 2010)
From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.
The Italian community in Ghana has expressed its profound gratitude to the Ghana government for creating the enabling environment that has sustained the cordial relationship between Ghana and Italy.
They have, therefore, pledged to continue supporting the socio-economic development initiatives by government to accelerate the pace of development in Ghana
Recalling the long and fruitful relationship between Ghana and Italy since 1957 during a cocktail party organised in Kumasi to celebrate the Italian Republic Day, the Vice Consular of Italy for the Western Region and the Northern Sector, Mr Stefano Ramella Pezza, noted “ our country’s relations under the patronage of the present Government led by His Excellency, John Evans Atta Mills ,is bringing very good results in various activities, and is also growing from strength to strength”.
The Charge’ D’ Affair of the Italian Embassy, Ms Silvana Inches, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, the Akyempemhene, Oheneba Adusei Poku, and the Asokore Mamponghene, Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah joined the Italian community and a cross- section of Ghanaians to celebrate the Republic Day of Italy which fell on Friday, June 4, 2010.
Mr Ramella Pezza said the Italian Consulate in Kumasi and its environs was not only committed to honouring its responsibilities to assist both the Italian and Ghanaian communities in diverse ways, but also committed to support and develop the initiatives of Ghana to enable the country realise her vision of attaining accelerated development.
This, he said, would go a long way to improve the standard of living among Ghanaians.
He explained that it was in response to such objectives that the “ Italian Embassy made the first ever Italian film Festival in Ashanti, showing ten Italian films.
Last year at the end of June, an Ambulance was also flown by the Italian Air Force to Kumasi Airport. This was a gift from the Boccelli Foundation and the Italian Air Force to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital”.
He said in July last year, the Consulate of Kumasi also assisted His Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to pay an official visit to Rome for a week, and assured that such cherished relationships would be sustained for the mutual benefits of the two countries.
In her remarks, the Charge’ D’ Affair of the Italian Embassy, Ms Silvana Inches, also affirmed the commitment of Italy to support the partnership between Ghana and Italy.
This, she said, would sustain the friendship being enjoyed at the political level to pave way for investment opportunities for the private sector to facilitate growth.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, who represented the government, commended the Italian community in Ghana for their hard work .
He said their resolve to live by the tenets of the laws in Ghana has made it possible for many of them to stay in the country for many years, turning them into second generation of Ghanaian citizens.
He assured that the government would continue to provide the enabling environment to enable them enjoy their stay in the country.
This, he said, would encourage them to initiate projects that would be mutually beneficial .
For his part, the Akyempemhene , Oheneba Adusei Poku, who represented Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, commended the Italian community for establishing landmarks, especially in the construction industry.
He mentioned the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital , the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, as well as the SOS village at Asokore Mampong constructed by Consar as palpable landmarks cherished by the present generation and said such landmarks speak volumes of the legacy and quality of work done by the construction firm in particular and Italians in general.
The Italian community in Ghana has expressed its profound gratitude to the Ghana government for creating the enabling environment that has sustained the cordial relationship between Ghana and Italy.
They have, therefore, pledged to continue supporting the socio-economic development initiatives by government to accelerate the pace of development in Ghana
Recalling the long and fruitful relationship between Ghana and Italy since 1957 during a cocktail party organised in Kumasi to celebrate the Italian Republic Day, the Vice Consular of Italy for the Western Region and the Northern Sector, Mr Stefano Ramella Pezza, noted “ our country’s relations under the patronage of the present Government led by His Excellency, John Evans Atta Mills ,is bringing very good results in various activities, and is also growing from strength to strength”.
The Charge’ D’ Affair of the Italian Embassy, Ms Silvana Inches, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, the Akyempemhene, Oheneba Adusei Poku, and the Asokore Mamponghene, Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah joined the Italian community and a cross- section of Ghanaians to celebrate the Republic Day of Italy which fell on Friday, June 4, 2010.
Mr Ramella Pezza said the Italian Consulate in Kumasi and its environs was not only committed to honouring its responsibilities to assist both the Italian and Ghanaian communities in diverse ways, but also committed to support and develop the initiatives of Ghana to enable the country realise her vision of attaining accelerated development.
This, he said, would go a long way to improve the standard of living among Ghanaians.
He explained that it was in response to such objectives that the “ Italian Embassy made the first ever Italian film Festival in Ashanti, showing ten Italian films.
Last year at the end of June, an Ambulance was also flown by the Italian Air Force to Kumasi Airport. This was a gift from the Boccelli Foundation and the Italian Air Force to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital”.
He said in July last year, the Consulate of Kumasi also assisted His Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to pay an official visit to Rome for a week, and assured that such cherished relationships would be sustained for the mutual benefits of the two countries.
In her remarks, the Charge’ D’ Affair of the Italian Embassy, Ms Silvana Inches, also affirmed the commitment of Italy to support the partnership between Ghana and Italy.
This, she said, would sustain the friendship being enjoyed at the political level to pave way for investment opportunities for the private sector to facilitate growth.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, who represented the government, commended the Italian community in Ghana for their hard work .
He said their resolve to live by the tenets of the laws in Ghana has made it possible for many of them to stay in the country for many years, turning them into second generation of Ghanaian citizens.
He assured that the government would continue to provide the enabling environment to enable them enjoy their stay in the country.
This, he said, would encourage them to initiate projects that would be mutually beneficial .
For his part, the Akyempemhene , Oheneba Adusei Poku, who represented Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, commended the Italian community for establishing landmarks, especially in the construction industry.
He mentioned the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital , the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, as well as the SOS village at Asokore Mampong constructed by Consar as palpable landmarks cherished by the present generation and said such landmarks speak volumes of the legacy and quality of work done by the construction firm in particular and Italians in general.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
US-BASED ORGANISATION TO SET UP EYE CENTRE (PAGE 23, JUNE 9, 2010)
Himalayan Cataract Project, a US-based non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH ) and the USAID, is establishing an eye centre in Kumasi to undertake eye surgeries on patients.
The project is estimated at $1million and about 14 building contractors are bidding for the project which is expected to begin before the end of June.
Mr Job C. Heintz, Chief Executive of Himalayan Cataract Project, is already in Kumasi to supervise the bidding process to ensure that the best among the contractors is selected for the project to begin.
There is a training component under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the sponsors and the KATH, where ophthalmologists from the KATH would undergo special training to sharpen their skills, while technicians from the hospital would also be offered special training to improve their skills for the eye care.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the signing of the MOU, Mr Heintz said his presence in Kumasi was not only to ensure that there was transparency in the selection of a building contractor for the project but was also to ensure that the best practices were followed to facilitate its early completion.
“ Right now we are reviewing the bids to select the contractor in a week’s time to ensure that the project starts by the end of June”, he stated, and gave the assurance that by the end of June next year, the project would be handed over to authorities of the KATH.
He said they had already secured the needed funding for the project with the USAID as the main sponsor.
Explaining why they selected Kumasi for the project, Mr Heintz said Himalayan Cataract Project and the USAID had been providing capacity building for doctors at the KATH over the years in the University of UTAH in the USA and so far, a number of them had benefited. He also said others had been trained in Nepal.
“ The goal is to increase quality eye care for patients and with the eye centre at the KATH, we hope to use it to train more medical staff not only at the KATH but others from the sub-region” he explained.
“ We want to establish the finest ophthalmology with the finest standard where Ghanaian doctors would be in charge and their counterparts from the sub-region would also receive their training ”, he explained further.
He said the centre would benefit all classes of people, including the needy, to give them a sense of hope, adding that: “The most important part of this clinical care is to ensure that it is measurable and we would undertake a follow-ups to ensure that the guidelines are followed.”
The Chief Executive of the KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, described the eye as an important organ of the body and said “People with eye problems from the northern sector of the country have to travel outside Ghana to undertake eye surgeries and with this, we would reduce their cost of treatment and the trauma in travelling far to receive medical care.”
The project is estimated at $1million and about 14 building contractors are bidding for the project which is expected to begin before the end of June.
Mr Job C. Heintz, Chief Executive of Himalayan Cataract Project, is already in Kumasi to supervise the bidding process to ensure that the best among the contractors is selected for the project to begin.
There is a training component under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the sponsors and the KATH, where ophthalmologists from the KATH would undergo special training to sharpen their skills, while technicians from the hospital would also be offered special training to improve their skills for the eye care.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the signing of the MOU, Mr Heintz said his presence in Kumasi was not only to ensure that there was transparency in the selection of a building contractor for the project but was also to ensure that the best practices were followed to facilitate its early completion.
“ Right now we are reviewing the bids to select the contractor in a week’s time to ensure that the project starts by the end of June”, he stated, and gave the assurance that by the end of June next year, the project would be handed over to authorities of the KATH.
He said they had already secured the needed funding for the project with the USAID as the main sponsor.
Explaining why they selected Kumasi for the project, Mr Heintz said Himalayan Cataract Project and the USAID had been providing capacity building for doctors at the KATH over the years in the University of UTAH in the USA and so far, a number of them had benefited. He also said others had been trained in Nepal.
“ The goal is to increase quality eye care for patients and with the eye centre at the KATH, we hope to use it to train more medical staff not only at the KATH but others from the sub-region” he explained.
“ We want to establish the finest ophthalmology with the finest standard where Ghanaian doctors would be in charge and their counterparts from the sub-region would also receive their training ”, he explained further.
He said the centre would benefit all classes of people, including the needy, to give them a sense of hope, adding that: “The most important part of this clinical care is to ensure that it is measurable and we would undertake a follow-ups to ensure that the guidelines are followed.”
The Chief Executive of the KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, described the eye as an important organ of the body and said “People with eye problems from the northern sector of the country have to travel outside Ghana to undertake eye surgeries and with this, we would reduce their cost of treatment and the trauma in travelling far to receive medical care.”
Sunday, June 6, 2010
FACILITIES AT KATH DETERIORATING (PAGE 18, JUNE 5, 2010)
Health facilities at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) are deteriorating, undermining effective and efficient delivery of medical services.
Apart from the bi-annual ritual of painting the main admission block to give it a semblance of attractiveness to endear it to its numerous clients, no major refurbishment has taken place at any part of the KATH since Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah inaugurated it in 1955.
The flow of water in and around the main blocks and other administrative areas are not the best at the hospital .
This is because the pipes that were laid to distribute water for both clinical care and internal use by patients and medical staff 55 years ago, are the same facilities responsible for servicing the hospital which has seen expansion over the years.
The huge window frames made to accommodate the special louvres at the main admission blocks seem to have outlived their usefulness, resulting in a situation where many of the windows will not lock or open properly as required whenever the weather changes.
Patients whose beds are closer to the windows, especially those who are bedridden, are therefore almost always at the mercy of the weather.
They have to endure the scorching sun as long as it lasts, and when it rains, the situation becomes more deplorable.
Mosquitoes use the free passage through the windows to invade the admission wards in their numbers, feeding on the patients around the clock ,thereby adding to their woes.
Although there are no records to show, it could be deduced that patients with no guts to stand the might of the weather and the invasion of mosquitoes lose their battle of survival and join their ancestors earlier than they should.
It is just by His grace that fire outbreaks being experienced across the country has not hit the KATH by now.
Any fire outbreak at the KATH will be devastating .
Like plumbing works at the KATH that have not seen any refurbishment since 1955, electrical works have also not seen any major facelifts since the hospital was inaugurated.
This has put medical activities at great risks as sparks of fire occur frequently in parts of the hospital, sometimes creating a state of panic.
The latest spark which almost consumed a section of the blood bank occurred about four months ago, and it was only the quick response of the Fire Service that averted a major catastrophy.
In spite of challenges facing the KATH in terms of maintenance, the hospital which is located at the heart of Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, has grown to become one of the most reputable medical establishments in the West African sub region, providing quality medical care to patients not only in the northern sector of the country, but others from neighbouring countries.
Unlike Accra which can boast quality health facilities such as the 37 Military Hospital, the La Hospital, Ridge, Police and Korle-Bu Teaching hospitals, among others , the KATH is the only reputable hospital in the Ashanti Region.
Inspite of old health facilities being used for clinical care, the KATH has grown from a 500-bed facility in 1955 to a 1,100-bed medical centre, striving for excellence in tertiary health care, medical training and research.
By virtue of its strategic position where almost all the crossroads of Ghana’s transportation network passes through the Kumasi metropolis, the KATH has the onerous corporate responsibility of receiving referrals from eight out of the ten regions in Ghana, thus putting intense pressure on its inadequate facilities.
With the easy accessibility to Kumasi in general and the KATH in particular, which is the main tertiary referral teaching hospital in the northern half of Ghana, it is not surprising that its facilities have come under enormous pressure over the years, thus stretching it to breaking point.
Inadequate intervening healthcare facilities in the Ashanti Region to properly sieve cases before referring the emergency ones to the KATH, has also resulted in the near mass dumping of patients at the only tertiary hospital in the region, and this sometimes affects quality health care.
Consequently, the staff and facilities are subjected to crippling pressure, resulting in unprecedented rate of congestion in all clinical areas, especially at the wards, where some of the patients, including pregnant women, sleep on the bare floor.
The intense pressure on the facilities and equipment also cause many of them to frequently breakdown due to over-utilisation.
With an estimated catchment area population of about 10 million, and with no regional hospital to complement it’s efforts of providing quality health care to patients, the KATH may have the misfortune of overstretching its facilities if adequate measures are not taken to regularly maintain the over-aged facilities and equipment.
The regular leakages at the ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ blocks, where all admissions take place, coupled with the regular breakdown of equipment , calls for the attention of all stakeholders to put their hands on deck to maintain the KATH to enable it to discharge its duties effectively.
Commenting on the outmoded facilities at the KATH, the acting Chief Executive, Professor Ohene Adjei, said the hospital deserved special dispensation to enable it to continue discharging its mandate in a sustainable manner.
Explaining, he said in spite of the numerous challenges being encountered, the hospital had not relented its efforts to provide quality health care to its numerous clients.
“Since 2004, the hospital has continued to record remarkable progress in all spheres of operations “ he said, adding, “ surgical operations for example increased steadily from 13,900 in 2004 to 26,200 in 2009. Emergency cases seen over the same period also increased from 20,000 to 36,000”. he stressed.
He pointed out that the hospital also recorded an average of 410,000 outpatients cases, 41,000 admissions and 12,000 supervised deliveries annually.
‘These impressive and verifiable statistics are the result of prudent management, hard work and sacrifices of our staff members, “ he explained.
He said apart from the clinical care, the hospital had been undertaking humanitarian medical support by collaborating with some international bodies to provide free surgical operations for needy patients.
He mentioned cleft palate surgeries that had been performed on children with deformities, breast reconstructive surgeries that provided medical care for women with abnormal breasts and breast cancer patients who lost their breast due to mastectomy , eye surgeries for people with squint, glaucoma, and cataract for over 400 patients for the past four years, as well as heart surgeries for patients with congenital heart problems for 19 patients.
He said with the collaboration with the Boston Children’s Hospital, the KATH had over the years been providing paediatric heart surgeries for as many as 49 children free of charge, making it possible for them to return to school.
Professor Adjei noted that some of the humanitarian services started nine years ago, and gave the assurance that it would be sustained to put smiles on the faces of the deprived in society.
He, however, appealed to all stakeholders and the government to urgently support the maintenance initiatives he was putting in place to enable the KATH to “ continue to provide the much needed service to its cherished clients across the country”.
He said as part of the initiatives, it was important for the public to support the hospital to complete the Children and Maternity block “which have been under construction since 1974”
He explained that the project which was now about 60 per cent near completion “ will help to provide the needed space required to reduce congestion at both the Children and Maternity wards”.
He said the management was also initiating a comprehensive renovation programme at the “A’, ‘B’ ‘C’ and ‘D’ blocks, explaining that, “the renovation would include the replacement of all electrical and plumbing as well as painting and civil works to facilitate efficient delivery of medical services”
He said with the release of the adjoining military lands to the KATH, his administration intended to establish a blood transfusion centre and administration blocks to enhance efficiency in medical care.
“We want corporate bodies, philanthropists, organisations, institutions , the business community and individuals to adopt and refurbish some of the admission blocks to ensure regular maintenance of the wards”, he pleaded
He said the hospital would respond to such positive gestures by naming the wards after those who would adopt and undertake regular maintenance as a form of reward, and a means of marketing them.
“The Board, management and staff of the hospital is ready to give due acknowledgement to individuals , corporate supporters and donors who come to the aid of the hospital” he assured, stressing that “ Management will not hesitate to immortalise such generous donors by naming wards and blocks after them “.
Professor Adjei also noted that his administration was on course to establish a “Special Trust Foundation to mobilise resources to meet the clinical and development needs of the hospital”.
Any delay in undertaking comprehensive maintenance at the hospital may cause the facilities to completely ground to a halt, and when it happens, emergency cases would be sent from almost all parts of the northern sector to Accra.
That will not only be costly, but may lead to the loss of precious lives , many of whom could be saved if the public join hands with management to initiate a regular maintenance culture to ensure the smooth running of the hospital.
Since we are all at risk if facilities completely break down at the KATH, the onus lies on all to respond to the call of the hospital’s administrators to support it in cash and in kind to refurbish the only tertiary hospital in the Ashanti Region.
Apart from the bi-annual ritual of painting the main admission block to give it a semblance of attractiveness to endear it to its numerous clients, no major refurbishment has taken place at any part of the KATH since Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah inaugurated it in 1955.
The flow of water in and around the main blocks and other administrative areas are not the best at the hospital .
This is because the pipes that were laid to distribute water for both clinical care and internal use by patients and medical staff 55 years ago, are the same facilities responsible for servicing the hospital which has seen expansion over the years.
The huge window frames made to accommodate the special louvres at the main admission blocks seem to have outlived their usefulness, resulting in a situation where many of the windows will not lock or open properly as required whenever the weather changes.
Patients whose beds are closer to the windows, especially those who are bedridden, are therefore almost always at the mercy of the weather.
They have to endure the scorching sun as long as it lasts, and when it rains, the situation becomes more deplorable.
Mosquitoes use the free passage through the windows to invade the admission wards in their numbers, feeding on the patients around the clock ,thereby adding to their woes.
Although there are no records to show, it could be deduced that patients with no guts to stand the might of the weather and the invasion of mosquitoes lose their battle of survival and join their ancestors earlier than they should.
It is just by His grace that fire outbreaks being experienced across the country has not hit the KATH by now.
Any fire outbreak at the KATH will be devastating .
Like plumbing works at the KATH that have not seen any refurbishment since 1955, electrical works have also not seen any major facelifts since the hospital was inaugurated.
This has put medical activities at great risks as sparks of fire occur frequently in parts of the hospital, sometimes creating a state of panic.
The latest spark which almost consumed a section of the blood bank occurred about four months ago, and it was only the quick response of the Fire Service that averted a major catastrophy.
In spite of challenges facing the KATH in terms of maintenance, the hospital which is located at the heart of Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, has grown to become one of the most reputable medical establishments in the West African sub region, providing quality medical care to patients not only in the northern sector of the country, but others from neighbouring countries.
Unlike Accra which can boast quality health facilities such as the 37 Military Hospital, the La Hospital, Ridge, Police and Korle-Bu Teaching hospitals, among others , the KATH is the only reputable hospital in the Ashanti Region.
Inspite of old health facilities being used for clinical care, the KATH has grown from a 500-bed facility in 1955 to a 1,100-bed medical centre, striving for excellence in tertiary health care, medical training and research.
By virtue of its strategic position where almost all the crossroads of Ghana’s transportation network passes through the Kumasi metropolis, the KATH has the onerous corporate responsibility of receiving referrals from eight out of the ten regions in Ghana, thus putting intense pressure on its inadequate facilities.
With the easy accessibility to Kumasi in general and the KATH in particular, which is the main tertiary referral teaching hospital in the northern half of Ghana, it is not surprising that its facilities have come under enormous pressure over the years, thus stretching it to breaking point.
Inadequate intervening healthcare facilities in the Ashanti Region to properly sieve cases before referring the emergency ones to the KATH, has also resulted in the near mass dumping of patients at the only tertiary hospital in the region, and this sometimes affects quality health care.
Consequently, the staff and facilities are subjected to crippling pressure, resulting in unprecedented rate of congestion in all clinical areas, especially at the wards, where some of the patients, including pregnant women, sleep on the bare floor.
The intense pressure on the facilities and equipment also cause many of them to frequently breakdown due to over-utilisation.
With an estimated catchment area population of about 10 million, and with no regional hospital to complement it’s efforts of providing quality health care to patients, the KATH may have the misfortune of overstretching its facilities if adequate measures are not taken to regularly maintain the over-aged facilities and equipment.
The regular leakages at the ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ blocks, where all admissions take place, coupled with the regular breakdown of equipment , calls for the attention of all stakeholders to put their hands on deck to maintain the KATH to enable it to discharge its duties effectively.
Commenting on the outmoded facilities at the KATH, the acting Chief Executive, Professor Ohene Adjei, said the hospital deserved special dispensation to enable it to continue discharging its mandate in a sustainable manner.
Explaining, he said in spite of the numerous challenges being encountered, the hospital had not relented its efforts to provide quality health care to its numerous clients.
“Since 2004, the hospital has continued to record remarkable progress in all spheres of operations “ he said, adding, “ surgical operations for example increased steadily from 13,900 in 2004 to 26,200 in 2009. Emergency cases seen over the same period also increased from 20,000 to 36,000”. he stressed.
He pointed out that the hospital also recorded an average of 410,000 outpatients cases, 41,000 admissions and 12,000 supervised deliveries annually.
‘These impressive and verifiable statistics are the result of prudent management, hard work and sacrifices of our staff members, “ he explained.
He said apart from the clinical care, the hospital had been undertaking humanitarian medical support by collaborating with some international bodies to provide free surgical operations for needy patients.
He mentioned cleft palate surgeries that had been performed on children with deformities, breast reconstructive surgeries that provided medical care for women with abnormal breasts and breast cancer patients who lost their breast due to mastectomy , eye surgeries for people with squint, glaucoma, and cataract for over 400 patients for the past four years, as well as heart surgeries for patients with congenital heart problems for 19 patients.
He said with the collaboration with the Boston Children’s Hospital, the KATH had over the years been providing paediatric heart surgeries for as many as 49 children free of charge, making it possible for them to return to school.
Professor Adjei noted that some of the humanitarian services started nine years ago, and gave the assurance that it would be sustained to put smiles on the faces of the deprived in society.
He, however, appealed to all stakeholders and the government to urgently support the maintenance initiatives he was putting in place to enable the KATH to “ continue to provide the much needed service to its cherished clients across the country”.
He said as part of the initiatives, it was important for the public to support the hospital to complete the Children and Maternity block “which have been under construction since 1974”
He explained that the project which was now about 60 per cent near completion “ will help to provide the needed space required to reduce congestion at both the Children and Maternity wards”.
He said the management was also initiating a comprehensive renovation programme at the “A’, ‘B’ ‘C’ and ‘D’ blocks, explaining that, “the renovation would include the replacement of all electrical and plumbing as well as painting and civil works to facilitate efficient delivery of medical services”
He said with the release of the adjoining military lands to the KATH, his administration intended to establish a blood transfusion centre and administration blocks to enhance efficiency in medical care.
“We want corporate bodies, philanthropists, organisations, institutions , the business community and individuals to adopt and refurbish some of the admission blocks to ensure regular maintenance of the wards”, he pleaded
He said the hospital would respond to such positive gestures by naming the wards after those who would adopt and undertake regular maintenance as a form of reward, and a means of marketing them.
“The Board, management and staff of the hospital is ready to give due acknowledgement to individuals , corporate supporters and donors who come to the aid of the hospital” he assured, stressing that “ Management will not hesitate to immortalise such generous donors by naming wards and blocks after them “.
Professor Adjei also noted that his administration was on course to establish a “Special Trust Foundation to mobilise resources to meet the clinical and development needs of the hospital”.
Any delay in undertaking comprehensive maintenance at the hospital may cause the facilities to completely ground to a halt, and when it happens, emergency cases would be sent from almost all parts of the northern sector to Accra.
That will not only be costly, but may lead to the loss of precious lives , many of whom could be saved if the public join hands with management to initiate a regular maintenance culture to ensure the smooth running of the hospital.
Since we are all at risk if facilities completely break down at the KATH, the onus lies on all to respond to the call of the hospital’s administrators to support it in cash and in kind to refurbish the only tertiary hospital in the Ashanti Region.
Friday, June 4, 2010
MARTYRS JUBILEE SCHOOL IS 10 (MIRROR, PAGE 34, JUNE 5, 2010)
From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
Authorities of Martyrs Jubilee School in Kumasi have launched their 10th anniversary celebration with an assurance to inculcate the values of morality in their students and also guide them to unearth their potentials.
Addressing a cross section of the public during the launching, Archbishop Emeritus Peter Kwasi Sarpong said the time has come for stakeholders in the educational sector to appreciate the level of moral decadence in the country and devise means of addressing it .
Describing a section of the present generation as “clever devils” because of their penchant for opulence irrespective of their economic status, Emeritus Sarpong said the failure of the state to inculcate the sense of moral values among the citizenry right from the kindergarten has turned some people to commit all sorts of crimes.
He explained that white colour crimes, armed robbery and the use of violence to settle personal scores, have become the order of the day because the present generation lacks moral values and a sense of patriotism to properly appreciate the evils they cause against their fellows in particular and the state in general.
Speaking on the theme, ‘providing quality education with Catholic principles’ he said the Catholic Church was more determined than ever to sustain its legacy of building a firm foundation to train students who attend catholic institution.
Touching on the Martyrs of Uganda Jubilee school which he established, Emeritus Sarpong said they had a vision of establishing a polytechnic and a university as a way of providing education par excellence to their students .
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi, Thomas Kwaku Mensah, who launched the anniversary, also assured that the Catholic Church was committed to producing students who would fit into society and not those who would become liabilities to their family, community and the state .
He, therefore, charged the school authorities to spend time to inculcate the sense of religious and moral values into the students for them to lead godly lifestyles.
In her welcoming address the Headmistress of the School, Sister Cecilia Salifu, said with a student population of 19 and three teachers, the school now boasts of 650 students with 27 teaching staff and 18 non-teaching staff.
He said the rapid increase of student population calls for additional classrooms, computer laboratory, a photocopier machine, a library complex and assembly hall.
The Chairman of the Parent Teacher Association, Mr Frederick Santuo, who chaired that programme, commended the school authorities for their commitment to develop values that would unearth the potentials of their students.
Authorities of Martyrs Jubilee School in Kumasi have launched their 10th anniversary celebration with an assurance to inculcate the values of morality in their students and also guide them to unearth their potentials.
Addressing a cross section of the public during the launching, Archbishop Emeritus Peter Kwasi Sarpong said the time has come for stakeholders in the educational sector to appreciate the level of moral decadence in the country and devise means of addressing it .
Describing a section of the present generation as “clever devils” because of their penchant for opulence irrespective of their economic status, Emeritus Sarpong said the failure of the state to inculcate the sense of moral values among the citizenry right from the kindergarten has turned some people to commit all sorts of crimes.
He explained that white colour crimes, armed robbery and the use of violence to settle personal scores, have become the order of the day because the present generation lacks moral values and a sense of patriotism to properly appreciate the evils they cause against their fellows in particular and the state in general.
Speaking on the theme, ‘providing quality education with Catholic principles’ he said the Catholic Church was more determined than ever to sustain its legacy of building a firm foundation to train students who attend catholic institution.
Touching on the Martyrs of Uganda Jubilee school which he established, Emeritus Sarpong said they had a vision of establishing a polytechnic and a university as a way of providing education par excellence to their students .
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi, Thomas Kwaku Mensah, who launched the anniversary, also assured that the Catholic Church was committed to producing students who would fit into society and not those who would become liabilities to their family, community and the state .
He, therefore, charged the school authorities to spend time to inculcate the sense of religious and moral values into the students for them to lead godly lifestyles.
In her welcoming address the Headmistress of the School, Sister Cecilia Salifu, said with a student population of 19 and three teachers, the school now boasts of 650 students with 27 teaching staff and 18 non-teaching staff.
He said the rapid increase of student population calls for additional classrooms, computer laboratory, a photocopier machine, a library complex and assembly hall.
The Chairman of the Parent Teacher Association, Mr Frederick Santuo, who chaired that programme, commended the school authorities for their commitment to develop values that would unearth the potentials of their students.
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