By Naa Shormei Odonkor, GNA
Kumasi, June 3, GNA – The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has resumed admissions at its Accident and Emergency Centre after temporarily restricting new referrals due to severe congestion and a shortage of beds.
The decision follows emergency consultations with health facilities across the Ashanti Region to develop measures aimed at easing pressure on the hospital’s emergency services.
Dr Yaw Opare Larbi, Acting Medical Director of KATH, told journalists during a media tour of the facility that the hospital had begun receiving referrals again because of its critical role as a major referral centre serving 12 regions across the country.
He explained that following a public announcement on the overcrowding situation, management held a virtual meeting with the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, the Deputy Director of Clinical Care, medical superintendents of Ghana Health Service facilities and selected private hospitals that regularly collaborate with KATH.
According to him, the meeting assessed the capacity of partner health facilities to support the management of patients and reduce the burden on KATH’s emergency centre.
“The facilities provided information on the availability of beds and the services they could offer. Some agreed to continue managing patients awaiting referrals, while others offered to receive referrals from surrounding facilities,” he said.
Dr Larbi noted that one facility indicated that its male ward was full but had three available beds in its female ward for patients who did not require surgery or intensive care, while other hospitals also outlined their capacities and readiness to support.
He said some facilities possess specialised equipment, including ventilators and beds, but lacked personnel with the requisite expertise to manage critical care units.
As part of the collaborative arrangement, KATH specialists would continue to provide technical guidance and support to partner facilities through remote consultations where necessary.
Dr Larbi said the hospital had made progress in reducing a backlog of nearly 40 patients awaiting admission, enabling management to gradually reopen admissions.
However, he acknowledged that the bed situation remained challenging.
“When I conducted rounds this morning, the entire D-Block had only five available beds. Although there may be additional beds in other wards, it indicates that we still face significant capacity constraints,” he stated.
He observed that patients could still be seen on stretchers and in temporary spaces within the emergency centre, underscoring the continuing pressure on available resources.
Despite the challenges, Dr Larbi assured the public that KATH would continue to admit patients requiring emergency care.
“Any patient who arrives will be admitted. We are managing the situation and doing everything possible to ensure that patients continue to receive care,” he said.
The hospital on Monday announced a temporary suspension of admissions at its Accident and Emergency Centre due to overcrowding, triggering concerns among patients and the public.
According to management, ongoing collaboration with regional health facilities is expected to help improve patient flow and ensure continuity of emergency healthcare services while efforts are made to address the persistent shortage of beds.
GNA
Edited by Yussif Ibrahim/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Naa Shormei odonkor