Management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has defended its track record following accusations from senior staff members that it is running down the facility.
The senior staff members at a recent press conference among other things, accused the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Gilbert Buckle and the board of mismanaging funds.
Responding to these accusations at a press conference on Monday, the Board Chair, Professor Anthony Sallah said the management’s prudent efforts have rather raked in more funds for the hospital.
Judgement debt payment
[contextly_sidebar id=”y5sViOeUufsm8ECSukXOiDNYmdHVrebN”]The hospital’s management further denied its acts, commissions or decisions have resulted in huge judgement debts.
According to the Board Chair, there has been no judgment debt accrued to the hospital since its new management assumed office in September 2014.
It however admitted GHC875,809.53 had been accrued by the hospital from August 2011 to June 2014. It said out of this amount, GHC250,304.16 has been paid as at August 2015
Financial mismanagement and siphoning hospital’s funds
Even though Prof Sallah disclosed the hospital has traditionally not been recovering costs, he said the introduction of prudent fiscal measures, which included the streamlining of revenue collection and blocking revenue leakages, has led to the realization of some GHC1.1 million.
He also said the introduction of the new fees and charges in June 2015, has significantly reduced the hospital’s debt profile.
Shortages of laboratory reagents, consumables and medicines
According to him, the Korle Bu Teaching hospital was experiencing acute shortages in medicines and non-drug consumables at the beginning of 2015. However, he said this was largely due to the inability of the hospital to pay its suppliers.
“Medicines availability was less than 40% in the hospital and practically every month, there was one or other non-drug consumables out of stock requiring emergency purchases”, he stated but added, “as at November 2015, medicine availability was between 60% and 70% and the frequency of stock outs of non-drug consumables has significantly reduced”.
Staff Medicare
According to Korle Bu Senior Staff Association (KOSSA), staff members pay for their own medical expenses, even at the facility.
Even though Prof Sallah admitted this allegation, he said a committee has been established to finalise proposals to start a hospital medicare scheme for staff in 2016.
He said the committee has completed its work and submitted its proposal to management for onward submission to the Board for approval.
In the meantime however, he said all employees have been asked to provide a list of up to four dependants less than 18 years of age, and a spouse, in preparation for the implementation of the staff health scheme in early 2016
Victimization
The executives of KOSSA were requested in line with due process to formally present their concerns and allegations, with necessary evidence to the board to enable the board initiate the appropriate process to investigate and act accordingly.
KOSSA has declined on two different occasions to meet the board and present its concerns with the necessary supporting evidence. “This adherence to due process has been described by KOSSA as victimization,” he said.
Hospital funding travels of the CEO
The board also denied this allegation made by KOSSA. According to the Chair, the hospital has not funded any personal travel of its CEO.
He said, “since coming into office, the CEO has embarked on four approved of official travels. For all these, the board permission was secured and the Minister of Health was informed as required”.
He said travelling expenses were borne by the institutions which invited him, adding, the hospital only catered for his allowances.
Other allegations
Prof Sallah said the hospital management is monitoring other allegations being made by KOSSA and would respond appropriately.
KOSSA’s Reactions
Meanwhile, President of KOSSA, Charles Offei Palm has told Citi news the senior staff members still stand by their accusations. He said, they would be vindicated by ongoing investigations by the Ministry of Health.
By: Eugenia Tenkorang/citifmonline.com/Ghana