Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, Chief Executive Officer of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has outlined his vision and priorities while addressing the 2025 Mid-Year performance review conference to assess the performance of the hospital.
He has indicated that his vision is to transform KATH into a true centre of excellence, where the “sacrifices and innovations of staff members are duly recognised and rewarded, stakeholders’ support are acknowledged and valued as well as services to clients are life-changing as well as cost-effective and compassionate.
The CEO seeks to achieve his vision by prioritising the comprehensive rebooting of the hospital, renewing efforts to complete all stalled projects, securing support for new critical infrastructure to provide modern and fit for purpose spaces for clinical services and improve staff productivity and welfare.
As a result, his administration has resorted to strategies, such as embarking on intensive lobbying drives and aggressive pursuit of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to improve the equipment stock and expand clinical and other allied infrastructure at the hospital.
He also intends to strengthen existing partnerships and develop new strategic ones to enhance skills development/transfer and mobilisation of resources to expand access to specialist care, as well as promoting clinical and operational research, innovation and evidence-based patient care, among others.
Dr. Baidoo also disclosed that pursuant to his vision, he had studied KATH’s current “operational deficits” with the view of marshalling the right strategies and support for addressing them, noting that currently most of the critical equipment such as C.T scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Fluoroscopy, Oxygen Plants and Central Sterilisation equipment of the hospital are either down or working at fault. While equipment like a Catheterisation Laboratory (CATHLAB) and Mammogram are completely non-existent.
The CEO, however, promised that with support of the government, the Board, management, staff and stakeholders, he will endeavour to improve the current situation.
DrBaidoo revealed that crucial meetings have, consequently, been held with leadership of the Ministry of Health, the Ghana National Petroleum Authority (GNPC), Ghana National Gas Company, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the Bank of Ghana (BoG) among others, to court their support for improving facilities at the hospital.
According to the CEO, these efforts are beginning to bear fruits, indicating that thanks in part to the strategic importance of the hospital as a referral facility for 12 out of the 16 regions, there has been public responses to the appeals made with a general commitment on the part of the institutions and individuals to assist the hospital.
The CEO disclosed that a number of initiatives are also being pursued to enhance the hospital’s efficiency, which include the drafting of new policies and review of old ones to address critical administrative and operational challenges impeding the smooth running of the hospital.
Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo made a solemn pledge to deliver to the best of his abilities and in the utmost interest of the hospital and stakeholders, noting that the task ahead is arduous, but with the support and prayers of management, the Board and staff of KATH could be reposted to meet expectations of all stakeholders.
Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, Ashanti Regional Director, Ghana Health Service said for KATH to succeed, the management, board and staff have to work together, share strategies as well as demonstrate how to utilise it to improve and stressed “…coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success…”.
From Oswald P. Freiku, Kumasi
