Kumasi, Feb. 2, GNA - Authorities of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospit= al (KATH) have announced plans to undertake massive external renovation works on the old 93Gee blocks" this year, to give the hospital the much needed facelift.

This would involve re-roofing and painting of the blocks, to be finance= d through the facility's internally generated funds (IGF) at an estimated c= ost of GH¢1,360,500.00. Professor Ohene Adjei, Chief Executive of the hospital, was addressing the opening of the 2010 end-of-year performance review workshop of the hospital in Kumasi on Wednesday.

He blamed persistent problems of congestion and long patient waiting time in the hospital on limited space and ageing facilities caused by years of neglect and lack of expansion of existing facilities to meet the growing patients' attendance.

To strengthen its capacity to match the increasing pressure on its services, the authorities undertook heavy investments in infrastructure and equipment last year to provide some vital tools and facilities required for quality care delivery.

Among these were new Theatre Operating Table and delivery beds, Sysmex Haematology Analyser, Reverse Osmosis and Dialysis machine, as well as Otoscope, Brochoscopy set, Angle lamp and other equipment, all at the cost of GH¢777,551.00.

Prof Ohene Adjei said construction works on a four-storey nurses block were also completed, while contract was awarded to begin the building of a-GH¢877,000 two-storey eye centre. The hospital also started the renovation of its Psychiatry block. He said most of the projects were being implemented with funding from the facility's IGF.

The Chief Executive said together with other initiatives, the projects and equipment had helped to significantly improve service delivery, particularly in the area of maternal health. Maternal mortality went down to 7.91 per 1,000 live births in 2010 from 9.32 per 1,000 live births in year 2009, and 10.73 in 2008. Prof Ohene Adjei said the hospital would continue to collaborate with its external partners to build staff capacity and enhance performance. He called on the Heads of the various units and directorates to take firm measures to reduce waste and delays in service delivery and ensure higher productivity. 2 Feb. 11

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