The management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has taken strong action against 16 of its staff members in order to maintain discipline and improve patient care standards.
These persons have been found guilty of different violations, which have resulted in consequences ranging from dismissals to warnings and suspensions without pay.
According to the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Professor Otchere Addai-Mensah, these transgressions include incidents of extortion by some of the involved personnel. During the 2023 mid-year performance assessment meeting in Kumasi, he revealed these steps, underscoring the hospital’s commitment to preserving discipline within its employees.
Prof. Addai-Mensah emphasized the hospital’s commitment to putting patients first and maintaining the integrity of its operations.
He explained, “One thing that we have not toyed with is discipline in the hospital and about sixteen staff have been sanctioned for various offences. Extortion has come up a couple of times and many other offences reported too. The quality assurance unit has been strengthened, and it is largely responsible for setting up committees to investigate issues like this and make recommendations to management which then are forwarded to the disciplinary committee which takes a decision on what sanctions should be meted out to culprits.”
Prof. Addai-Mensah also revealed plans to repair the ancient Gee Block on the hospital grounds. This specific structure, built in 1954, has functioned for over seven decades without major renovation. Given that KATH receives referrals from all throughout the country, there has been some worry regarding the state of these long-standing systems.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is leading a fundraising drive to revitalize these institutions as a charitable gesture.
Professor Addai-Mensah expressed hope that this effort will improve healthcare services in the region greatly.