The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is urging households in and around the Ashanti region and corporate Ghana to join in the collective efforts to raise $10 million for the refurbishment of the main ‘Gee’ block of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
Since its establishment nearly 70 years ago, the block housing wards of the hospital have not seen any major facelift with most installations deteriorating.
Wide openings of cracks in the ceiling, broken floor tiling, algae-infested washrooms, exposed electrical wirings and congested wards.
That is the present state of the old block of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
Since its construction in 1955, the main referral center serving 12 out of the 16 regions of the country has not seen any major renovation work.
The hospital, with an original 500-bed capacity, now accommodates about 1,200 in-patients at its main ward.
[embedded content]At the grand launch of the ‘Heal Komfo Anokye’ project, the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Professor Otchere Addai-Mensah, observed over-utilisation of the facility contributed to the defects.
“Persistent over-utilisation and consequent wear and tear over the years have left this hitherto impressive structure in a state that’s simply unfit for provision of contemporary specialist in-patient care services.
“This sad state of affairs is getting worse by the day and we’re reaching a point of if nothing is done immediately, the old Gee blocks could soon suffer a catastrophic structural failure and dire consequences for healthcare services in the region,” he said.
The ‘Heal Komfo Anokye project’ seeks to raise $10 million in a public fundraising drive for the renovation of the 70-year-old in-patient wards at the Hospital.
Sharing his experience at the hospital, the Asantehene prevailed on Ghanaians to join the collective efforts to refurbish the facility.
“I visited the hospital at night. I came here twice and I was really saddened by what I saw. Komfo Anokye whom the hospital was named after was never sick, so the hospital can’t be sick. We must work together to fix it. There will be several changes in government but the building will always be there to serve us,” he said.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II continued: “I urge everyone including households in the Ashanti region to join me raise money for this project. Even 200 Ghana cedis will be appreciated. Let’s support this project”.
From political actors to corporate Ghana, many took turns to pledge their support for the project with their resources.
When completed, the refurbished block would have cutting-edge facilities for quality healthcare delivery.
The Chairman for the project, Samuel Adu Boakye impressed on the need to support the project.
“The project shouldn’t be seen as a burden, but an opportunity to honour traditions of self-help, community solidarity. It is an opportunity to ensure that people have access to quality healthcare services. An opportunity to leave a legacy, care and compassion for generations yet unborn,” he said.
On his side, the Board Chairman of KATH, Nana Effah Apenteng is promising a judicious use of mobilised funds.
“The firm assurance is that the board is fully committed to maintaining a huge level of integrity, transparency and accountability in utilisation of the funds that would be raised for the project,” he emphasised.
The renovation of blocks A, B, C, and D is expected to be executed as part of the legacy projects marking the 25th Anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of the Asantehene next year.
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