KATH launches patient referral guidelines

Kumasi, Oct 8, GNA - The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) on Wednesday launched patient referral guidelines as part of its commitment to improving upon quality of health care delivery.

The guidelines are expected to help streamline the present referral modalities at the hospital.

Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, Chief Executive Officer of KATH, said these at the Launch of the guidelines on "Referral systems in Ghana-A Critical Review" at a symposium organised by KATH in collaboration with MEPHA Pharmaceuticals of Switzerland in Kumasi.

He said prompt response to referral cases should be a routine and daily practice to enable hospitals to become centres of excellence. Dr Nsiah-Asare who was speaking on the topic: "Referral systems In The Health Sector -The Tertiary Hospital's Perspective In Relation to Malaria, Obstetrics and Gynae and trauma", said in an effort to mitigate the effect of poor referral system on patients in the country, the KATH had developed guidelines in respect with cases within and from outside the hospital.

He said there was no national policy on referral cases and expressed the hope that the initiative by KATH on the issue would serve as assist the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to develop a well-defined referral system.

Dr Nsiah-Asare called on the authorities to improve facilities at all health institutions so that personnel there could handle cases efficiently.

Dr (Mrs) Agatha Bonney, the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District Director of Health Services, asked the public to discard the perception that whenever a patient is referred to another hospital he might die.