KATH to save GH¢ 12,000. 00 daily oxygen bill with the procurement of new plant
The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, the second largest referral centre in Ghana is making giant strides in providing critical care with the approval to procure its own oxygen plant to replace an obsolete, dysfunctional one.
This would also help the tertiary health facility serving the Northern sector and other sister countries save a daily bill of GH¢ 12,000.00, for relying on private sources for the supply of the critical life-saving health consumable.
Dr Oheneba Owusu-Danso, Acting Chief Executive (Ag CE) of the Hospital announcing this at an annual staff reception and thanksgiving service on Wednesday said the KATH new Board and the Ministry of Health gave the green light for this and described it as a step in the right the direction to optimise the operation of KATH.
He said the new Board headed by Nana Effah Apenteng, Chief of Asante-Akim Bompata, had additionally given the go- ahead for the establishment of an endowment fund as part of a long-term strategy to address the logistical and infrastructure challenges of the facility.
The Ag CE said the fund would be launched early next year and management was going to approach public-spirited individuals and organisations to assist in the acquisition of critically – needed equipment valued over GH¢60m, to help the Hospital maintain its status as the centre of excellence.
Dr. Owusu-Danso hinted of other stepped- up internally- generated (IGF) efforts which includes the introduction of special private patients’ services under which busy corporate executives, businessmen and individuals can access prompt, comprehensive and quality medical care at their convenience for premium fees under an intramural policy.
“We therefore need to be more innovative, more patient-centred and strategically position ourselves to survive the inevitable stiffer competition we would face with the coming on stream of more public and private hospitals , to remain a preferred choice for patients ”, he added.
He took the opportunity to thank, Mrs Rebecca Akuffo-Addo, the First Lady and her “ Rebecca Foundation ‘Save a Mother, Save a Child Project as well as the Multi Media group through whose efforts attention was galvanised and voluntary funds mobilised for the construction of a new Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) and Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU) Centre awaiting commissioning soon after the Christmas festivities.
The Right Reverend Christopher Nyarko Andam, the Diocesan Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, in a sermon called on Ghanaians to show gratitude to God for His protection throughout the entire year.
Source: GNA