Insufficient dialysis equipment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has led to the redirection of some patients to private facilities.
The hospital, known for its role as a referral center, is struggling to meet the needs of its dialysis patients due to a shortage of equipment.
During a meeting with Finance Minister-designate, Mohammed Amin Adams, KATH’s Chief Executive Officer, Professor Dr. Otchere Addai-Mensah, emphasized that the hospital’s two dialysis machines are insufficient to meet patient demand.
Engaging the media, he expressed concern that one of the machines is non-functional, leaving only one machine operational for patients.
“The dialysis in this hospital is restricted to two patients who are within the hospital. One of the most difficult calls I have had to make as the chief executive was when I was approached by my medical director who posed a question as to whether or not he was okay to send patients who needed dialysis to private facilities. As difficult as that call was, it had to be made because we do not have sufficient dialysis machines,” he said.
Dr. Addai pointed out that due to the lengthy duration of each dialysis session, patients may experience extended wait times if there is a large queue.
Furthermore, he highlighted that the hospital has been without a mammography machine for the past 18 years.
“We are picking up breast cancer cases in stages 3 and 4. Apparently about 70% of the cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in stage 3 and stage 4 basically because the effective screening that ought to be done with the help of a mammography machine is not being done,” he said.
The CEO emphasized that the emergency center at KATH is excessively crowded, unable to cater to all patients in need of care. He underscored the potential fatal repercussions of shutting down the center even for a single day, as it would result in patients being denied essential treatment.
“Orange Ward is meant for 12 but we currently have about 42 patients. Yellow is meant for 18, we have about 27 patients. Red is meant for 7, we have about 10 patients there as we speak now.”
Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adams announced the allocation of 14 million euros for the construction of the Mother and Baby Unit at KATH. He assured that this funding would enhance the hospital’s facilities and capacity, effectively addressing the concerns highlighted by Dr. Addai.
“Because of the concern by our president, the directive for us to find money and address these outstanding infrastructure issues. You have seen us moving very quickly and this visit by me demonstrates the commitment to addressing this challenges so we can bring relief to the people of Kumasi, Ashanti region. And I know that lots of cases are referred to Komfo Anokye from other regions of the country,” he said.