KATH babies sleep on floor

Newborn babies and their mothers sleep on the floor at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi due to congestion at the medical facility.

This came to light when members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health visited the hospital to familiarize themselves with the operations of the facility.

Led by Yireh Chireh, Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West, the MPs visited the various wards at the hospital to inspect the facilities there.

During the tour, the MPs were shocked to see newborn babies and their mothers lying on the floor due to congestion.

Other patients were seen sleeping in pairs on single beds.

The congestion at KATH has compelled management to turn washrooms into consulting rooms.

For instance, a washroom at A 2 Lying in Ward had been turned into Sickle Cell Room where about 60 babies are treated on a daily basis.

Medical personnel complained bitterly to the committee about the development.

Prof. Henry S. Opare Addo noted that they had worked under harsh circumstances for a long time. He said despite making their concerns known to management and other relevant authorities, nothing has been done about it.

Prof. Opare Addo stated emphatically that KATH lacked crucial facilities to enhance the work of its staff, calling for government’s intervention.

He appealed to the relevant authorities to complete the maternity ward complex, which was started in the mid 1970s.

The completion of the project, he stated, would help address congestion at the facility.

Prof. Opare Addo expressed grave concern about verbal attacks on KATH officials.

They were also at the hospital to obtain information about the infamous missing babies at the hospital. Hon. Yireh Chireh reiterated government’s pledge to complete the maternity block project in December this year.

Hon. Chireh announced that government was seeking help from some funding agencies to complete the project.

He bemoaned the awful working conditions at KATH, urging the personnel to sustain their hard work. Hon. Chireh condemned the attack on KATH staff by some youth in Kumasi over the missing baby of Suwaiba.

He stated that under no circumstances should any person or group of individuals attack a person who is working for his/her country.

On behalf of the MPs, Hon. Chireh promised to help address the grievances of KATH staff and help improve facilities at the place.

Members of the committee, which included Dr. Richard Anane, Nhyiaeso MP and Elizabeth Agyeman, MP for Oforikrom, among others, later inspected some ongoing projects at KATH, including the maternity block project.