Sixteen employees of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have faced sanctions due to various violations, as the hospital’s management reinforces its commitment to enforcing discipline within the institution.
Among the actions taken, one staff member has been dismissed, while others have received warnings, and a few have been suspended without pay.
The infractions primarily revolved around instances of extortion by some of the implicated staff, according to Professor Otchere Addai-Mensah, the chief executive officer of the hospital.
Professor Addai-Mensah said these measures are essential for system purification and to ensure a heightened focus on patient care within the referral hospital. He was speaking on the sidelines of the hospital’s mid-year performance review conference in Kumasi for the year 2023,
“Discipline in the hospital is non-negotiable, and around sixteen staff members have faced consequences for various wrongdoings. Extortion has been a recurring issue, alongside other reported offences. To address this, we have reinforced our quality assurance unit, which is responsible for establishing committees to investigate such matters. Recommendations from these committees are then forwarded to the disciplinary committee for decisions on appropriate sanctions,” he said.
‘Gee Block’
He said that plans are in progress for the refurbishment of the ageing ‘Gee Block’ within the hospital premises. Notably, major blocks constructed around 70 years ago, which once served as wards, have largely remained untouched by substantial renovations.
Given the hospital’s role in receiving patients from various parts of the country, concerns have arisen regarding the condition of these structures.
To address this concern, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has taken the lead in initiating a fundraising campaign aimed at rejuvenating these facilities. Professor Addai-Mensah expressed optimism that such interventions would significantly enhance healthcare services.
“We are actively working towards raising approximately $10 million for the comprehensive renovation of the aged Gee Block. This particular block was constructed in 1954 and has been operational for nearly seven decades without undergoing significant refurbishment,” he said.
Thoroughfare
Addressing the traffic congestion affecting emergency services at the hospital, the CEO said a new vehicle movement plan will soon be introduced to alleviate the issue.
“Research conducted about vehicles that pass through KATH showed about 64 per cent of such vehicles use our premises as a thoroughfare and it impacts emergency services for patients been referred, this cannot continue so a new vehicle movement plan would soon be introduced to end that traffic congestion”, he stated.
Reporting by Jonathan Ofori in Ashanti Region
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