The awardees included heads of directorates and units, as well as external philanthropists who have contributed positively to the growth of the hospital over the years.

The awardees are individuals and organizations who donated medical equipment to departments of the hospital, paid medical bills of the vulnerable, and staff members who lobbied for support from external sources to resource their units to make healthcare delivery easier.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer [CEO] of the hospital, Dr. Oheneba Owusu-Danso, the awards are purely based on the track record of the individuals and organizations in advocacy, fund-raising and resource mobilization activities that have resulted in an improvement in the healthcare delivery.

“The 20 or so awardees for this maiden edition of the awards were carefully selected on the basis of their contribution to the development of the hospital either through advocacy, lobbying, sponsorship and donations which have helped to enhance the operations of the hospital”, he said.

Dr. Owusu-Danso urged the central management and the heads of directorates and units to think out of the box and adopt forward looking strategies to address some of the challenges bedeviling the operations of the hospital.

Board Chairman’s remarks

Board Chairman of the hospital, Ambassador Nana Effah-Apenteng, indicated that a lot needs to be done to improve the capacity of the hospital to deliver quality clinical care.

He said it has become necessary for the Board to seek partnership with individuals and organizations to address the challenges facing the hospital since Government’s ability to support the retooling and refurbishment needs of the facility has been severely constrained by other demands.

Nana Apenteng called for more support in addressing challenges facing the hospital.

All awardees were presented with certificates of appreciation.

–

By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post KATH honors staff, philanthropists at maiden board awards appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Dr. Shirley Owusu Ofori made the call at the 8^th edition of a blood donation exercise organized by MTN-Ghana as part activities to mark this year’s Valentine’s Day.

The annual event, which was held at the Seventh-Day Adventist Senior High in Kumasi, is a collaboration between MTN-Ghana and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital’s Blood Bank.

Dr. Owusu Ofori emphasized that giving out blood must be a constant and committed endeavor by the public to keep the country’s blood banks running.

“As a country, we need not to be comfortable because we need a constant supply of blood all year round. We need to engage the public, we need to raise awareness, we need to get new donors on board each time, and we need our old donors to continually donate such that we have a constant supply all year round”.

She said Valentine’s Day was the best day for organizations and corporate bodies to support blood donations since giving a pint of blood could save lives, and it is also a way of showing love to the needy.

She commended MTN-Ghana for its consistency in supporting blood banks across the country for the past years to continually restock the blood banks.

MTN-Ghana pledges support for Blood Banks

MTN-Ghana’s regional commercial head for the Northern sector, Peter Bimpeh, has reiterated the company’s commitment to prioritize quality healthcare delivery in the country as part of its corporate social responsibilities.

He said the blood collected from the nationwide exercise will be used to restock the National Blood Banks as well as blood banks at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi-Takoradi, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Bolgatanga Regional Hospital and the Cape Coast Regional Hospital.

According him, blood donation was necessary and essential for the country’s healthcare delivery.

He revealed that MTN-Ghana for the part eight years has donated 6,000 pints of blood to the KATH Blood Bank.

Students queue to donate

The about 1000 student population joined long queues to partake in the exercise.

The students, who were supervised by their tutors were screened by officials of the Blood Bank before finally donating the blood.

They expressed excitement and urged the general public to help restock the country’s blood banks.

The students also commended MTN-Ghana for choosing to hold this year’s Valentine’s Day edition of the blood donation at their school.

–

By: Hafiz Tijani/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post KATH calls for consistent blood donations from public appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This, according to Dr Oheneba Owusu-Danso, will also eliminate the human factor in billing patients for services rendered to them.

[contextly_sidebar id=”SgX0g2UDbW3r4v5svdFgdCuSxRYbKZFE”]He said the move has become necessary following consistent complaints from some clients about the attitude of some staff members at the hospital.

There have been reports of alleged extortion by some staff of the hospital from patients who visit the facility to seek healthcare.

Dr Owusu-Danso who made the remarks at an end-of-year interaction with journalists in Kumasi warned that management will deal with any worker caught in acts that are detrimental to the hospital’s growth.

“It is one of the critical projects that is dear to management. To help us curtail this, is the computerization of our systems, what we call the Health Administration and Management System, which has begun. We are hoping that within the first quarter, we should have definitely advanced in the mainstreaming of this. So that our billing will become electronic rather than the human or the manual one we are doing currently. Once we do that, we hope that it will actually curtail a lot of these practices,” he said.

He disclosed that some staff members who were caught engaging in such practices are currently on interdiction after going through disciplinary procedure.

He expressed worry over the lack of evidence to back some of the complaints from patients and members of the public.

Dr Owusu-Danso has however assured that management will ensure persons engaging in such practices are brought to book.

–

By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmoline.com/Ghana

The post KATH to introduce electronic billing system appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This according to Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the hospital, is expected to save the facility an average of Ghc 12,000 daily bill it is accumulating due to reliance on private sources for the supply of oxygen.

Dr. Oheneba Owusu-Danso disclosed this at the hospital’s Annual Thanksgiving and joint staff reception in Kumasi.

[contextly_sidebar id=”0MMmJkZlWumbjBn568vZbOykBrbj2vLX”]He has also announced that the new Board of the hospital has given approval for the establishment of an Endowment Fund as a long-term strategy to address the logistical and infrastructure challenges of the hospital.

The Fund, which will be launched within the first quarter of 2018, will approach public spirited individuals and organizations to assist in the acquisition of critically needed equipment valued at over Sixty (60) Million Ghana Cedis to enable the hospital provide better services to the public.

Dr. Owusu-Danso said the hospital will in the course of 2018 offer special private patient’s services under which busy corporate executives, businessmen and individuals can assess prompt, comprehensive and quality medical at their convenience for premium fees under an Intramural Policy.

The acting CEO also charged staff members to continue to work hard to project the hospital’s positive image in the health sector of the country.

“It is only hard work, smart management practices, unity of purpose and personal sacrifices by all Staff Members that would help the hospital to effectively confront the challenges ahead, and deliver to the expectation of our clients”.

He has emphasized the need to completely review the mood of operations with the view of reducing waste and devising more efficient ways of delivering services in order to generate the needed funds to cover the hospital’s operational expenses.

He thanked the First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, her foundation and individuals who have contributed towards the construction of the new Mother Baby Unit and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for the hospital.

He also assured that Management was committed to running an open and inclusive administration to further improve the image of the hospital as a model tertiary healthcare institution in West Africa.

–

By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmoline.com/Ghana

The post KATH to get new Oxygen plant soon appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, some health sector professionals in Ghana charged with responsibilities do not want to be accountable in the discharge of their duties, hence the rising number of corruption-related cases.

[contextly_sidebar id=”g1bVeRUrdjFRzOPxSmV7eoQJke97bZGk”]The Deputy Minister made the remarks at the maiden launch of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Ghana Association of Doctors in Residency (GADOR), at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.

He said free postgraduate studies would be possible if the sector succeeds in reducing the revenue leakages in the sector.

Mr. Aboagye Gyedu implored professionals to cooperate with the Ministry of Health in their efforts to bring accountability in the health sector.

“If we were to succeed in reducing corruption, the leakages in the revenue flowing to the health sector by even 20%, free postgraduate studies can be highly possible. So we pray and hope that when we get there and want to bring some level of accountability so that we will help you and people who will come after you, you will bear with us. And also cooperate so that we can do what is necessary in order to do what is probable.”

He also expressed concerns about how some doctors leave the country to work elsewhere after Government funds their training.

He called for an end to such practices indicating there is a disservice to the tax-payer whose money was used to fund their training programmes.

–

By: Hafiz Tijani/ctifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Too much fraud in health sector – Minister complains appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Ministry has said the hospital will possibly have to make do with the about half that number in the meantime.

[contextly_sidebar id=”WTDaurS3RaXVOsOOq7S2UaRurp9iKDZ0″]The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital suspended new emergency admissions following an acute shortage of doctors at the facility.

Approximately, 150 new doctors who completed their rotation left the hospital, compounding the situation.

However, in an interview with Citi News, the Public Relations Officer of the Health Ministry, Robert Cudjoe said the doctors must take into account Ghana’s constraints as a developing nation.

“…As a developing nation, it will be difficult for us to get all that we need because of the limited resources that we have as a nation,” Mr. Cudjoe said in his plea.

“If for example, they want a complement of 800 doctors to handle their services, but because of the limited resources, they are given more than half, they should make do with that in the interim as we work around the clock to ensure that, in subsequent years, more will be added.”

He indicated that the hospital could end up with about half the number of doctors they need “and I think that is surely a good number.”

Mr. Cudjoe reminded that, the other doctors expected to support the manpower at the hospital are also working in other facilities.

“…the question is where are we getting all these numbers from, because the remaining ones are also working in other facilities,” he argued.

The newly qualified doctors who are expected to replace them have still not received financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance to start working.

The absence of these junior doctors who form the backbone of the health care delivery system at the teaching hospital, is said to be putting a huge strain on the few senior colleagues around.

Some departments and directorates are also said to have been forced to reduce their services because they don’t have the capacity to sustain full-scale work without the junior house officers.

The hospital’s struggles are emblematic of the doctor deficit in Ghana, with one doctor attending to about 10, 450 patients, as opposed to the one doctor to 1,320 patients per the recommendations from WHO.

–

By: Philip Nii Lartey/Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We don’t have enough doctors to support KATH – Health Ministry appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Citi News’ Ashanti regional correspondent, Lauretta Timah had reported that the boy identified as Osman Abdukari, was shot at, by some unknown persons.

According to the police, the events leading to the incidence are not clear, as eyewitnesses have given varied accounts of what happened.

Chief Superintendent Kwaku Buah is the Manhyia Divisional Police Commander.

“Yesterday at around 7:30pm I received information concerning the incident. This guy is about 17-years-old, someone who had just completed JHS and had gone to the place with others to have fun and this unfortunate incident happened. He is now on admission at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, he is not dead.”

Although the Police Commander said no arrest has been made yet, he noted that they’ve had information from some persons who witnessed the event.

“We’ve not yet made any arrest. We’ve spoken to people in the area including eyewitnesses who were. We are still hunting for the perpetrators of this heinous crime. We have a lot of information we are trying to analyze, we’ve had so many varied information and it is our job to investigate and ascertain the truth behind the issue. As I talk to you now the Municipal Security Council had finished meeting on the matter and officials of the council are going to the site of the incident,” he added.

9 die after Salah stampede 

Nine persons died in 2017 in a stampede in Asawase in the Ashanti Region during a jam to climax the Eid-ul Fitr celebration in the area.

An investigation by the security showed that the stampede occurred when an electric meter at the Asawase Community Centre where the event was held caught fire.

–

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post 17-year old boy shot during Salah jam at Kumasi  appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The unit, which is planned to be completed in four month’s time, is part of efforts to address the problem of inadequate maternity-related facilities at KATH, currently resulting in avoidable suffering and deaths of mothers and children who visit the hospital for medical care.

At the ceremony, the First Lady expressed her gratitude to all donors for their quick response to the fundraising request that has made it possible for construction of the project to commence.

She indicated that, she was particularly happy because she “ feels confident that when completed, the project will save many lives.”

She noted that the provision of quality healthcare should always be prioritized because “a country’s best resource is its human resource, and health is by far one of the most important investments we can make in them.”

The First Lady however urged all not to let their generosity end with this project, but always support a course towards providing quality health care.

According to her, regardless of recent achievements in healthcare, “a lot more needs to be done to achieve the goals and indicators as espoused in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.”

Present at the ceremony was the Second Lady Hajia Samira Bawumia, the Regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah, Deputy Minister of Health and the Mayor of Kumasi  Hon. Osei Assibey.

–

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post First Lady cuts sod for GHc10m KATH maternity unit [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mrs. Akufo-Addo made this passionate appeal at a fundraising event held at the Manhyia Palace under the patronage of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

[contextly_sidebar id=”z9Ni5scsbjv4Hw8SNgrqRHUs0SiFbRFq”]The first fund raising which was held at her Residence in Accra, saw a total amount of GH7,695,444 raised in cash, cheques and pledges.

Speaking at the event, the First Lady described the current situation at KATH as disturbing and avoidable.

She urged all well-meaning Ghanaians to contribute massively to the project for the facility to be constructed within the shortest possible time to end the deaths of mothers and babies.

“When a mother dies, a vacuum is created in the family, which never gets filled. When a child dies we always wonder. There is never any closure. Death is inevitable, but we must all condemn the avoidable deaths that can be fixed by providing additional space. That is why we took on this project. That is why many Ghanaians and others have contributed to this project. We are not only building a maternity unit for Komfo Anokye, but we also intend to improve other health facilities across the country. Your contributions would enable us to do so.”

According to the first lady, the new facility will cater for five times the current number at KATH and will bring hope not only to families in the Ashanti region but also those from Brong Ahafo, and the three regions of the north.

“This facility we are building is not for Kumasi or the regions it serves. This facility is for Ghana.  Therefore we Ghanaians are taking the initiative to make things happen. This is the spirit of the Ghanaian I knew growing up. Being Ghanaian means being our brother’s keeper. The Ghanaian I have come to know over the past few months’ acts to correct the wrong.”

The occasion was also graced by the wife of Ghana’s Vice President, Samira Bawumia, the host Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and wife Lady Julia Osei Tutu, other traditional and religious leaders from Ashanti region, representatives from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospitals and other dignitaries.

–

By: Felicia Osei/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post First Lady courts support for new mother, child unit at Komfo Anokye appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is to assist the facility to procure pediatric optic bronchoscope and echocardiogram machines for efficient treatment and management of children on admission.

Mr. Faris Attrickie, Managing Director of the Company, praised the management and staff of the referral facility for the hard work and dedication in spite of the many challenges.

SIC Insurance, he indicated, appreciates the tremendous effort they were making to provide the people with quality health care.

He said it was time corporate bodies, organizations and individuals did more to aid the hospital to save lives.

He hinted of plans by the Company to adopt one of the blocks at the hospitals, adding that, the donation marked the beginning of a stronger partnership to improve health care delivery.

Dr. Joseph Akpaloo, the Chief Executive of the Hospital, thanked SIC Insurance for the gesture and said it could not have come at a better time.

KATH, the nation’s second largest referral facility, he stated, had the requisite manpower and expertise to provide quality health care services, adding that what had been lacking were adequate space, logistics and equipment.

Dr. Akpaloo invited other organizations and individuals to contribute to the noble cause of helping to bring quality care to the sick.

–

Source: GNA

The post SIC supports KATH with GHȼ 70,400 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.