Kumasi, June 3, GNA - The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi and the Himalayan Cataract Project (HCP) of the US have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build a $1,000,000 state-of-the-art Eye Centre at the hospital.

The project would be executed with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and involves the construction of a two-storey structure with basement, provision of ophthalmic equipment and training of eye specialists. A released signed by Mr Kwame Frimpong, Public Relations Officer of the hospital, said Professor Ohene Adjei, Chief Executive of KATH and Mr Job C. Heintz, Chief Executive Officer of the HCP, appended their signatures to the document at a short ceremony in Kumasi on Monday. The facility, which is expected to be ready within a year, would serve as a centre of excellence for the training of ophthalmic doctors and professionals in the West African sub-region. Professor Ohene Adjei said he was delighted that all the key preparatory works towards the commencement of the project have been successfully completed.

KATH's present eye clinic is faced with serious problems of congestion due to lack of space and the large patients' attendance, he said. "The new eye centre of excellence, when completed in a year's time will provide the needed facilities and space for the hospital to provide world class training and services to our ophthalmic professionals and patients respectively," he said.

Professor Ohene Adjei conveyed appreciation to the HCP, USAID, Moran Eye Centre of the University of Utah, US, and the staff of the hospital for their diverse role towards making the project a reality. Mr Heintz said he was satisfied with efforts the eye clinic of KATH was making towards bringing specialist eye care services to, especially underserved areas in the northern part of the country. He said the project would expand access to specialist eye care by those, who needed it the most. Mr Heintz pledged continued support to the training of ophthalmic doctors of the hospital and West Africa in general, in sub specialties like cornea, cataract and retina operations. 3 June 10