I am very distressed about 44-year-old KATH maternity block - Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Saturday said he was distressed at the 44-year old abandoned Maternity Block at the Komfo Anokye Teaching hospital by successive governments.

He has therefore tasked the Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah to fast track discussions with the funding and if possible get things done by the end of April for work to continue on the project which when completed will inure to the benefit of the people in the area and beyond.

Stalled construction work on the 90-bed facility was due to lack of funds despite promises by successive governments to fully complete it.

Following Joy Fm’s exposé titled ”Next to Die” which was aired to residents of the Garden City put together by investigative reporter Seth Kwame Boateng of the Multimedia Group of Companies (MGCs), a private media house, the heartbreaking documentary premiered at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital ( KATH) auditorium, revealed majority of pregnant women losing their lives during labour.

Footages in the documentary which were later aired on some networks also revealed that doctors at the facility pick and choose who to attend to in labour since only four persons can receive care at a time.

The situation drew government’s attention and as part of his three-day tour of the Ashanti region, the President and his entourage visited the facility and were conducted round the project site by the CEO of KATH Dr. Joseph Akpalu who briefed them about the Block, efforts made by previous governments to complete it and the current status.

He was later briefed by the regional minister who informed the President that a number of entities have approached his office to fund the completion of the project indicating that discussions are in advanced stages with one of the entities and that by September, work should start.

In commenting on the issue in the visitor’s book he said “I am very distressed at what I have seen here today. It is not to the credit of our nation that an important hospital project (KATH Maternity Block) should stand for 44 years uncompleted. We have to do something about it, and I intend to do so.”