Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has inspected ongoing renovation works on the main wards (GEE blocks) of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.
The work is being executed under the $10 million ‘Heal the KATH project,’ which he initiated last November to mobilise financial resources to undertake a comprehensive renovation and modernisation of the 74-year-old hospital block.
The renovation forms part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the installation of Otumfuo Osei Tutu, as the 16th occupant of the golden stool in April 1999.
The inspection tour of the health facility last Thursday is an indication of his commitment to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
The inspection took the Ashanti King to the A4 and A5 blocks, where work had already begun and expressed his satisfaction with the progress of work so far.
The Chief Executive Officer, Prof Otchere Addai-Mensah and Architect Kojo Darko Asante took the King, accompanied by members of the traditional authority, including Otumfuo Saamanhene Nana Osei Kwaku II, OtumfuoHiahene Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei, Otumfuo Kyeame Baffour Kantantankrakyi and Mmamensenhene Barima Osei Kwadwo II, round the ongoing work at the facility.
The Asantehene engaged with contractors and health officials to address issues obstructing the operationalisation of the facility during the visit.
Chairman of the Heal Komfo Anokye project, Mr. Sammy Adu Boakye, who provided updates on the renovation, said 100 percent of work has been done on roofing and that so far leakages have been stopped.
Otumfuo also inspected the Sewua Regional Hospital, where he pledged his support to address challenges hindering the opening of the Sewua Hospital and promised to intervene with relevant authorities to expedite the facility’s operationalization.
The $63 million project, situated on a 30-acre land at Sewua in the Bosomtwe district of Ashanti region by Euroget, is expected to function as the Regional Hospital for the Ashanti region on completion.
Some of the facilities of the hospital will include clinics, mortuary, infectious disease center, outpatient department, sick babies department, premature babies department and 2 km of inner roads.
The installation of necessary equipment, challenges such as electricity supply and poor road networks have delayed its official opening.
Meanwhile, Otumfuo has called for the completion of the 290-bed capacity Ashanti Regional Hospital to ease pressure on the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
He noted that the early completion of the Sewua hospital would enable residents to access health care since the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is undergoing renovation exercises.
Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang, Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, disclosed that the Sewua facility would need a transformer to provide enough electricity to power all the machines.
According to him, the ECG has connected the facility to the main line and provided two transformers to enable a test run of the machines and train the staff for the commissioning of the facility.
The Health Director also hinted that the road to the facility had been awarded to a contractor.
At the Manhyia Government Hospital, Otumfuo inspected stalled projects and discussed strategies with authorities to ensure their completion.
He also interacted with patients and mothers at the hospital’s congested maternity ward.
Authorities at the Manhyia Hospital are expanding the Maternity Block to reduce congestion and also improve healthcare delivery.
