Accra, Oct 4, GNA - The 80th anniversary celebration of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital was on Saturday launched in Accra with a call on the staff of the hospital to renew their commitment to the delivery of quality healthcare to patients.

Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital said the thrust of the celebration is to: "re-assert Korle-Bu's autonomy as well as its performance in the past, the present and the future". He therefore, called on the staff to rededicate themselves to making the hospital what it was envisioned to be by its founding fathers". He was addressing a press conference to announce the celebration of the anniversary on the theme; "Korle-Bu in Transition; Real Autonomy, More Efficiency" in Accra.

The hospital, the third largest in Africa, was established in 1923 under the then British governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Gordon Guggisberg. Activities lined up for the celebrations include outreach services by staff at the Tuesday Market and Mamprobi Cluster of schools, commissioning of staff quarters, thanksgiving church service and durbar to be graced by President John Agyekum Kufuor.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said the dynamics that served as impetus for the establishment of the hospital were still relevant and that the present dedicated staff were building on the foundation laid by the past staff, adding, "in spite of our difficulties Korle-Bu Hospital is among the best organized public institutions in the country". He explained that the hospital still faces major challenges like the exodus of staff, particularly nurses, which has reduced the number of nurses to 900 instead of the needed 2000. He mentioned the lack of incentives like accommodation during and after the service of nurses as what "has been regrettably, driving them away". He said there was the need for all Ghanaians to reorient their minds into staying and working in the country after their training to help uplift Ghana "instead of always leaving for abroad to work there".

Prof Frimpong-Boateng announced that the hospital's administration and its board had acquired a 1000 acres of land which would be allocated to nurses and other staff as a measure to retain them and make life comfortable after rendering their services. On the congestion of the hospital, the chief executive said there was the need for expansion work to be done not at the hospital premises "but by moving some of the departments to the outskirts of Accra and other places". He commended government for its support to the hospital, saying, "the government is giving us all the needed support without interfering in the running of the hospital as promised".

Mrs Grace Barnes, Director of Nurses, Korle-Bu urged the public to make complaints to the administration or management if they are dissatisfied about services rendered to them. She said the hospital would continue to render good services to its patients "so they should have faith in us by cooperating with us".