KATH denies lack of oxygen is killing patients

Kumasi, Feb 4, GNA- The management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has denied media reports that patients die every hour at the hospital for lack of oxygen, saying, 'it is totally untrue and most uncharitable".

Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, the Chief Executive, told a press conference in Kumasi on Wednesday, that the hospital has no problem whatsoever with oxygen as it has its own production plant that had been operating for the past one and half years.

He said in all, the hospital has installed 412 oxygen outlets covering all the units and wards, adding, "if anybody has anything to complain about it certainly should not have to do with oxygen". Dr Nsiah-Asare asked the media to be more circumspect in its reportage to avoid undermining public confidence in the public health institutions.

He cautioned that reckless media publications that put fear in the people could scare them from the hospitals and also wreck the national efforts at attracting foreign investors into the country. The KATH Chief Executive pointed out that the hospital was making steady progress towards achieving its goal of becoming a centre of excellence.

He therefore found it difficult to understand why anybody for pure mischief making should attempt to "discredit the good work we have been doing".

An Accra Tabloid in its Monday, February 2-6 edition headlined "Lack of oxygen killing patients at KATH" stated among other things that a patient dies every hour at the hospital for lack of oxygen.