For the lack of adequate doctors, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in the Ashanti Region has suspended new emergency admissions.

This was contained in an internal memo issued by the directorate of surgery to the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.

The decision was arrived at following an emergency meeting convened to review the impact of the shortage on the hospital’s ability to deliver quality health care to patients.

The hospital will, however, continue to care for the over 250 patients currently on admission.

“Considering our current staff strength, we are of the opinion that further admissions will endanger the lives of patients and impede the provision of quality care. We would like to put on record that this problem was anticipated by al residents in the hospital and management was notified in writing two weeks ago. Unfortunately, management is yet to communicate a response. This problem has been recurring for the past 7 years and we hope an appropriate action is taken to resolve this issue permanently,” the surgery directorate said.