General News of Thursday, 10 February 2005

Source: GNA

KNUST to put up teaching hospital

Kumasi, Feb 10, GNA- The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is to put up a multi-million teaching hospital on the university campus to facilitate the tuition of medical programmes and delivery of health care services.

Professor Kwesi Andam, the Vice Chancellor who announced this, said consultants were working in earnest to facilitate the start of the project in June, this year.

He made the announcement in Kumasi on Thursday, when he received medical items valued at 140,000 dollars presented to the University hospital by the KNUST alumni of the USA.

The presentation coincided with the inauguration of the hospital's dental clinic, which has been equipped by the Ministry of Health, and members of the alumni.

The Vice Chancellor said the teaching hospital would not only be a centre of excellence but would also help complement efforts of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital to provide specialised health services to the northern sector.

Prof. Andam commended the members of the alumni for the assistance, stressing: "this is the second time they have made such donation to the KNUST hospital".

Dr Kofi Asare, Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, suggested that all lecturers at the School of Medical Sciences of the University should be made to render services to the university hospital as part of their conditions of service.

Dr Ben A. Gorman, acting director of KNUST hospital, appealed to the university authorities not to depend solely on the alumni but should explore avenues internally to assist the hospital expand its infrastructure and to improve upon its services.

Dr (Mrs) Peggy Oti-Boateng, a representative of the KNUST National Alumni Association, who presented the items on behalf of the alumni, assured the University of more support.