Eleven years after the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, cut the sod for work to begin on the project at a grand ceremony, the facility is yet to see the light of day.

A visit to the site by Gemma Appiah of Citi FM’s partner station, Focus FM revealed that work had stalled with the superstructure only partly completed, as the site is being taken over by weeds.

The project, which was being executed by the College of Architecture and Planning of KNUST, with funding from the University in collaboration with the Ghana Education Trust (GETFund), at the cost of about $125 million, was expected to be completed in 6 years.

Covering a land area of some 71 acres, it was to among others things have a cardiothoracic and neurosurgical centre, diagnostic unit and laboratory, morgue, administration and Out-Patient-Department (OPD) block, wards, security post, effluent chambers as well as a laundry unit.

President John Mahama in 2016 gave assurance that he will seek funding to complete the project which had at the time stalled due to lack of funding.

He said, “I am reliably informed that KNUST has started the construction of its Teaching Hospital to promote greater access to medical education. This is very commendable. I believe that his royal majesty, the Chancellor’s request is in order, and let me add that not many people can refuse a request from the Otumfuo….I’ll therefore set to work immediately to seek the funding to continue and complete the Teaching Hospital you have started as a reward for your 50^th congregation” former President Mahama said.

Due to the current state of the project, authorities of KNUST have been forced to limit the admission of qualified students to pursue medicine.

Abandoned health facilities

This comes on the back of Citi News’ consistent report on some completed but abandoned health projects scattered across the country.

They include abandoned CHPS compound at Ofankor, Tetegu, Teshie all in  Accra.

Other major ones that have been reported by Citi FM are the $217 million University of Ghana Medical Centre, the Bank of  Ghana Hospital and the solar-powered medical centre at the Volo Digital Village in the Volta Region.

See photos below:

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Photo credit: Gemma Appiah

The post 800-bed capacity KNUST Teaching hospital project abandoned [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Three students are reported to have died within one week, bringing to seven, the number of student deaths this year alone.

The situation is reported to have alarmed parents whose wards are in the school.

The concerned parents have told Citi News that they want the Ghana Education Service and the Ghana Health Service to collaborate in prioritizing public health issues at the Asokore Mampong-based school.

The most recent incident occurred last Saturday when a first-year General Arts student of the School, Fodjour Furgerson Livingstone, died at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), after he was initially admitted at the Tafo Government hospital when he complained of fever.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Chief Executive of Asokore Mampong, Alhaji Alidu Seidu, has told Citi News that the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research will present a report on the cause of deaths on Wednesday.

He said, “after the three deaths were recorded, we took samples of the test to Noguchi Memorial Institute… Noguchi has told us the result will be ready by Wednesday, so we are waiting for the results.”

25 students admitted at KNUST hospital

He added that some 25 students had been at the KNUST hospital, but were responding positively to treatment.

“…we have also put some measures in place to curtail the situation. Currently, about 25 students are on admission at the KNUST hospital, but are responding to treatment,” he said.

Kumasi Academy deaths: Family of deceased threatens suit

The family of a 17-year old student who died at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital has accused school authorities of negligence.

The bereaved family says the authorities failed to take proper care of students who fell sick, but rather concentrated on activities to mark the 60th-anniversary celebration of the school.

According to the family, the deceased contracted the disease when he voluntarily took a colleague with a suspected case of meningitis to the hospital. He is believed to have died from meningitis.

The Brother of the deceased, Fodjour Martins, who spoke to Citi News, said he was “still very much devastated.”

“…Because of the anniversary, they will neglect all other activities to concentrate on their anniversary celebration. That has in the long run, caused the death of my brother. The school neglected them because my brother took a colleague to the hospital and the colleague died there, but the school didn’t bother to make a follow up as to the cause of the student’s death.”

“Now we are considering the funeral arrangement and after that, we shall see how best we can deal legally with the school. They will meet my wrath. I will do my best. That one, definitely, I can assure you,” he stated.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post A/Region: Minister holds emergency meeting over KUMACA deaths appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.