KBTH staff bid CEO farewell

The Senior Staff Association of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has organised a send-off party for the outgoing Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Felix Anyah.

The event, which was held at the new emergency unit of the hospital, saw directors and heads of the various departments, as well as the MP for Central Tongu, Alexander R. Hottordze, celebrating Dr Anyah for his significant contributions during his one-year stay as the head of the hospital.

The atmosphere was full of mixed feelings as the senior staff, who had rejected his removal from office, paid glowing tribute to the work done by the CEO, most of which he self-financed.

The infrastructure improvement that occurred during the tenure of Dr Anyah include the reconstruction of a new executive wing and accident and emergency centre, provision of a DNA and general lab services, digital telecom system, and the signing of an MoU with golf and medical centre for the installation of a facility software to digitise and boost operations and security at the hospital.

Dr Anyah also made some personal donations of motorbikes to the security, air conditioners to the physiotherapy department and mattresses to polyclinic, food van to catering unit, anaesthesia drugs and water pump to the hospital.

Dr Opoku Ware Ampomah, Head of the National Plastic Surgery & Burns Centre, and Dr Frederick Kwateng, Head of the Accident Centre, who shared their memorable experience with Dr Anyah, recalled how he engineered behavioural change in the hospital by moving from traditional and financial accounting to financial management to focus on creating more income sources rather on spending.

“He positioned KBTH to be the hub of medical tourism,” they said.

Dr Anyah, in his handing over message to Dr Samuel Asiamah, Head of Medical Affairs, narrated how he first learnt of his appointment as the CEO of Korle-Bu.

“I was so shocked since inside me I felt the position was for younger men,” he revealed.

He pointed out that he has since worked with the vision of improving the standard of Korle-Bu by installing the appropriate equipment, human resource practice and right maintenance culture.

“I am very thankful to Christ for the one year (June 3, 2017 to June 10, 2018) that I have spent with you in my alma mater having graduated from KBU in 1979). I pray and hope that the love and support you gave me, same will be extended to my brother Dr Samuel Asiamah,” Dr Anyah said.

He, however, called for stakeholders to work together to sharpen several policies which are vague to facilitate the smooth running, marketability and profitability of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

“One of the reasons for several tensions, especially between Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and stakeholder institutions is no LEGISLATIVE INSTRUMENT. Getting a legal framework for centres of excellence is the key in managing emerging legal issues,” he highlighted.

It is believed that Dr Anyah, whose tenure was devoid of any scandals and agitation from staff, was removed from office because the Public Services Commission (PSC) refused to approve his appointment as he had passed the statutory age of holding a public office, which is 60 years.

Dr Anyah’s removal from office comes a few days after his first anniversary as the CEO of the oldest teaching hospital in the country.