The NDC Chairman in South Africa, Benjamin Kofi Quashie, has disclosed that the arrest of Asin South MP Rev. Ntim Fordjour is imminent.
According to Quashie, the necessary steps for his detention are almost complete, and Fordjour will soon be taken into custody.
Quashie made the statement during an appearance on JoyPrime’s News Flash on Monday, April 7. This follows Fordjour’s allegations about some aircraft involved in drug trafficking and money laundering activities at the Kotoka International Airport.
“I can confidently say that the processes (to arrest him) are almost complete,” Quashie confirmed.
He added that although Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, who plays a key role in the process, is currently abroad, Quashie is confident that the arrest will proceed once Bagbin returns.
Rev. Fordjour, who is the Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee in Parliament, made the allegations at a press conference, stating that certain aircraft had landed in the country for illegal activities, including drug trafficking and money laundering.
These accusations have caused a stir, especially within political circles, with many questioning the accuracy of Fordjour’s statements.
The government has dismissed the allegations, offering explanations regarding the circumstances under which the planes arrived and left Ghana.
Rev. Fordjour now faces increasing pressure to provide solid evidence to back up his claims. As the situation continues to unfold, further developments are expected, particularly after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) endorsed Fordjour’s claims and called for a thorough government investigation.
The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has raised alarm over repeated thefts of copper pipes that supply oxygen to patients, posing a severe risk to healthcare delivery at the facility.
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Frank Owusu-Sekyere, disclosed that unidentified individuals have been cutting and stealing these crucial pipes, disrupting oxygen supply to various wards.
Speaking during an inspection of ongoing rehabilitation projects at the hospital, he expressed deep concern about the financial strain these thefts place on the institution.
“We are more vigilant now. Then to add to it, we are in advance stages of procuring the services of private security to help with the dwindling numbers of our internal security, and if that comes on board, we think that we will be able to secure the place better,” he stated.
Dr. Owusu-Sekyere also revealed that while CCTV cameras have been installed, their effectiveness is limited due to a lack of real-time monitoring.
“We have had to resort to CCTV, but these are not monitored in real time, so something happens, you probably may have an idea who might have done it, but by then, the harm has been caused already,” he explained.
He lamented the high cost of repairing the damage caused by the thefts, contrasting it with the negligible amount the stolen pipes fetch on the scrap market.
“It is ridiculously expensive to fix these copper pipes, so somebody takes a chunk of it for scrap, and we are paying through our noses to have that one fixed. I think the one that we are doing currently is costing us about GHS400,000 for something that somebody may have sold for GHS50,” he noted.
The hospital management is intensifying security measures to curb the incidents and ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply to patients.
Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH)has announced a six-week suspension on the intake of fresh bodies and Brought-in-Dead (BID) cases due to ongoing renovations of its cold room facilities.
In a statement, hospital management explained that the refurbishment is part of efforts to enhance service delivery.
This temporary restriction, however, does not affect cases from within the hospital.
Bereaved families with relatives who have been in the mortuary for three to six weeks or longer are advised to arrange for immediate burial or transfer to other mortuary facilities.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your cooperation as we work toenhance our services,” the statement added.
The Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) has made a significant donation to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, contributing two dialysis machines and two chairs as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.
This donation, valued at approximately $112,000 (1.9 million Ghana cedis), is aimed at addressing the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare workers at the Korle Bu Dialysis Unit.
In addition to the equipment, the contribution will also fund one month of free dialysis treatment for 50 patients at the facility.
During the donation ceremony, Managing Director of GACL, Mrs. Yvonne Opare, shared her optimism about the positive impact of the donation.
“We’ve seen reports about equipment shortages at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. As an organization, we’ve decided to make these donations, and I’m confident it will go a long way toward addressing some of the challenges here. Not only are we providing the machines, but we also want to make a difference in the lives of at least 50 people. Similar initiatives will be extended to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital,” she revealed.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Frank Owusu-Sekyere, expressed his deep gratitude for the donation.
“We are very grateful and promise to put these machines to good use. It is disheartening that individuals suffering from life-changing illnesses like dialysis treatment should have to struggle. However, we know that health is a shared responsibility, and we cannot do it alone, especially here at Korle Bu. This gesture from corporate bodies like yours is deeply appreciated,” he added.
Management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital prevented the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Health Committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, from inspecting the facility’s faulty elevator that is presently hindering the smooth process of work.
At Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), elective surgeries have been suspended and emergency cases temporarily relocated due to persistent issues with the lifts at the hospital’s surgical block.
On Monday, Mr Akandoh visited the facility but was stopped by an official who questioned the authority in which Mr Akandoh was relying on to inspect the faulty elevator.
“Have we met? Who are you,” the Korle Bu official asked the MP.
The challenges at KBTH have severely affected the hospital’s operations. According to a statement from Professor J. E. Mensah of the Surgical Department, the issues with the lifts have hindered the movement of patients between floors in the surgical tower, directly impacting the ability to perform surgeries.
“Given the current situation, we have decided to suspend all elective surgeries until further notice. During this period, we will focus solely on emergency cases to ensure that critical care is not compromised,” the statement noted.
The statement also outlined temporary measures, including carrying out emergency surgeries at alternative locations within the hospital, such as the Ground Floor Surgical (Neuro), Accident Centre, Pediatric, and Gynaecology theatres. Patients requiring surgery will be admitted to Ward G, Ward N, Ward A, and Ward B.
KBTH assured the public that efforts are underway to replace one lift and refurbish the other, with the procurement process currently in progress.
The hospital says it is working to complete the necessary repairs as quickly as possible to minimize disruption and resume normal operations.
Management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital this morning prevented ranking member for the health committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh from inspecting the faulty elevator which has resulted in the suspension of elective surgeries at the facility…#ElectionHub#GHOneNews#GHOneTV… pic.twitter.com/yIGYNJH2jv
Management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has denied reports suggesting that it had suspended emergency surgeries at the surgical department due to broken down elevators.
It explained that despite ongoing repair works on the elevators at the Department of Surgery, all surgical emergencies and urgent cases were being attended to prominently.
Additionally, those who were already on admission due for surgery were being attended to.
A news release dated August 29, 2024 and issued by the management of the hospital, therefore, urged patients and the public to disregard the “misleading information” suggesting that emergency surgeries have been suspended.
“It is untrue because despite ongoing repair work on the elevators at the Department of Surgery,all surgical emergency and urgent cases are being attended to promptly,” the release said.
The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), has shut down its surgical ward due to lift malfunction.
According to a statement signed by Professor J. E. Mensah of the Surgical Department, the situation has disrupted the movement of patients within the surgical tower, which is severely affecting their capacity to conduct surgeries.
For this reason, the facility has resorted to suspend activities and relocate to curb emanating challenges.
“Given the current situation, we have decided to suspend all elective surgeries until further notice. During this period, we will focus solely on emergency cases to ensure that critical care is not compromised.
“To accommodate these changes, emergency surgeries will be carried out at the Ground Floor Surgical (Neuro), Accident Centre, Pediatric and Gynaecology theatres. Patients undergoing these procedures will be admitted to Ward G, Ward N, Ward A, and Ward B,” part of the statement read.
It added that procurement processes are currently underway to replace the faulty elevators.
KBTH assured that they are doing everything they can to expedite the completion of the work, minimize disruptions, and restore normal operations as soon as possible.
The management of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has reassured that the essential consumables for renal patients, which are currently held up at the port, will be cleared soon.
Renal patients at the hospital have threatened to stage a protest on Wednesday, August 21, due to the prolonged delay in clearing these critical supplies.
The ongoing shortage has already led to the closure of the renal unit for three weeks, denying patients access to essential medical care.
During an interview on Eyewitness News on Monday, August 19, the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Mustapha Salifu, emphasized that efforts are being made to swiftly address the issue and resume services.
“We have apologised on several occasions for this challenge and we continue to entreat them that they should exercise restraint and that we have gotten a commitment from the Ministry [of Health] that we will have this thing cleared.
“They have already endured for over two weeks now. They should let us work cooperatively as we usually do so that we can clear the container at the port and then resume normal operations.”
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the renal patients, Baffuor Kojo Ahenkorah, has pleaded with the hospital to honour its assurances and ensure the timely clearance of the essential supplies.
“We will take it in good faith but we just hope that they will clear the containers as they have said so we will try and keep our fingers crossed and hope that something really comes out.
The Renal Unit at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has been made available exclusively to inpatients, despite earlier announcements that outpatients would also have access.
This decision has left kidney patients feeling uncertain and frustrated.
The Renal Patients Association is calling on the hospital to open the facility to outpatients, allowing them to receive the essential care they need.
A recent visit to the renal department at KBTH revealed that while inpatients are being treated, outpatients still cannot access the dialysis center.
Kojo Baffour Ahenkora, a spokesperson for the Renal Patients Association, voiced concern about the lack of official communication regarding when the facility will be available to outpatients.
Despite these challenges, Ahenkora remains hopeful that the hospital will soon extend its services to outpatients.
The closure of the Renal Unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has sparked widespread outrage and concern, especially after it was revealed that three kidney patients have tragically died due to the disruption in services.
The unit, which has been closed for nearly two weeks, was reportedly shut down without any official explanation, leaving vulnerable patients in a dire situation.
The Health Committee of Parliament has strongly condemned this closure, with members expressing shock and disappointment at the situation.
Baffour Ahenkorah, President of the Kidney Patients Association, confirmed the deaths, stating that the closure has put an unbearable strain on patients who now have no choice but to seek treatment at expensive private facilities.
Member of Parliament for Central Tongu and a member of the Health Committee, Alexander Roosevelt, expressed his deep concern in an interview with Citi News.
He questioned the transparency and honesty of the National Insurance Authority (NHIA), which had recently assured the Health Committee that funds had been allocated to support kidney patients.
“The National Insurance Authority appeared before our committee requesting an amount of 2 million cedis for payment of the bills of under 18 and above 60 people who have these conditions. And they also came out boldly a few months or weeks ago emphasizing that they had released an amount of 2 million Ghana cedis and there was going to be an additional amount of 2 million that would be given to the Korle Bu hospital to settle the bills of people with renal cases,” Roosevelt recounted.
“I am just surprised that I’m being told that the setup has been closed down mainly because they do not have medical supplies,” he added, expressing disbelief at the current state of affairs. “Is this where Ghana has reached? It’s a very serious situation. It’s something that one cannot fathom and I can understand. How can we joke with the health of our own people?”
The MP’s comments highlight the growing frustration and confusion over the handling of the healthcare system in Ghana, particularly at a time when critical services like dialysis are being interrupted due to administrative or logistical failures.
The closure of the Renal Unit at Korle Bu has forced many patients to seek care at private centers, where the costs are prohibitively high, ranging from GH₵600 to GH₵1,000 per session.
Most patients require at least two sessions per week, making the financial burden nearly impossible to bear for many.
Baffour Ahenkorah echoed these sentiments, stressing the dire consequences of the unit’s closure. “Because Korle Bu is a government facility, the prices here are relatively moderate—not cheap, but affordable for most of us. However, private centers are charging between GH₵600 and GH₵1,000 per session. Most of us require two sessions a week, which means we need at least GH₵1,200 weekly. Many simply cannot afford this,” he said.
He also expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the hospital authorities. “We don’t even know what is happening or why it was closed. No one has informed us, and we are left in the dark. This situation is creating serious problems for us,” Ahenkorah stated.
The situation at Korle Bu has become a national concern, with calls for urgent action to reopen the Renal Unit and prevent further loss of life. The Health Committee of Parliament is demanding answers and accountability, as the crisis continues to highlight the challenges facing Ghana’s healthcare system.
The unexpected closure of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital’s Dialysis Unit for nearly two weeks has left patients in dire straits, forcing them to seek costly treatment at private facilities.
The lack of access to affordable care has placed immense financial and emotional strain on those who rely on the unit for life-saving dialysis.
The shutdown, reportedly due to a shortage of essential medical supplies, has raised alarm among patients and their families.
President of the Kidney Patients Association, Baffour Ahenkorah, has expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the hospital authorities.
“The dialysis unit was shut down, and this Sunday will mark exactly two weeks. We don’t even know what is happening or why it was closed. No one has informed us, and we are left in the dark. This situation is creating serious problems for us,” Ahenkorah told Joy News.
The closure has forced many patients to turn to private centers, where the cost of dialysis is significantly higher. Ahenkorah highlighted the financial burden this has created for patients who already struggle to afford treatment.
“Because Korle Bu is a government facility, the prices here are relatively moderate—not cheap, but affordable for most of us. However, private centers are charging between GH₵600 and GH₵1,000 per session. Most of us require two sessions a week, which means we need at least GH₵1,200 weekly. Many simply cannot afford this,” he said.
“We are human beings and deserve to be treated with respect. The fact that we have end-stage kidney failure doesn’t mean we should be neglected.”
Ahenkorah emphasized the need for clear communication from the hospital, urging authorities to provide patients with information about when the unit will reopen. “If we know that Korle Bu will be unavailable, at least we can make alternative plans,” he added.
The closure has also drawn condemnation from the Health Committee of Parliament, particularly following reports that three kidney patients have died as a result of the shutdown. Central Tongu MP and committee member Alexander Roosevelt criticized the decision, questioning why the unit was closed when funds had recently been allocated to support kidney patients.
Roosevelt pointed out that the National Insurance Authority had requested 2 million cedis to assist kidney patients under 18 years and over 60 years, and had announced an additional 2 million cedis to cover the bills of renal patients at Korle Bu. Despite this, the unit remains closed, leaving vulnerable patients without access to the care they desperately need.
As patients and their families anxiously await the reopening of the dialysis unit, the lack of communication and support from hospital authorities continues to cause distress and uncertainty.
Some cancer patients in the country have been left stranded and hopeless following the breakdown of the only cancer treatment machine at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
A MyJoyOnline report indicates that many patients who went to the nation’s premier health facility were left disappointed and unattended as repair work continued on the machine.
The report highlights the frustrations and fears of a breast cancer patient referred from the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC).
“I started this journey about two years ago, treating breast cancer at the University of Ghana Medical Center. I initially underwent surgery at UGMC, but after a recurrence, I was referred to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for chemotherapy and radiation therapy,” Sandra told JoyNews in a telephone interview.
“I was scheduled to start my treatment here at Korle Bu. But when I arrived, I was told that the machine had broken down. That was a month ago. I was rescheduled for last Thursday to start my radiation therapy. I managed to receive treatment on Thursday and Friday, and I was supposed to continue from Monday, every working day, for 16 days, but that has been a big challenge.
“Today marks one week, and I’ve only completed two sessions. As I speak, I am returning from Korle Bu; the machine has broken down again. I couldn’t receive my treatment. I’m not just speaking for myself; there are many women in the queue waiting.”
The disturbing situation, which poses a huge threat to Ghana’s health system, was confirmed by Professor Joel Yarney, Head of the Oncology Department at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, who provided further details about the issue.
He disclosed that the country has only two such machines, with the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi being the other health facility with the machine.
“We used to have just a handful of cases per day at our facility. These days, we are seeing an increase in the number of cancer cases in the country, and the resources to deal with it are simply not there. We are now dealing with up to 60 cases per day, so that sort of pressure on a single machine will cause it to break down,” he said.
The cost of repairing and maintaining such machines is also very high, further complicating the issue.
Patients have been left stranded at the Renal Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after increment in dialysis treatment.
Kidney patients relying on dialysis treatment will now pay over a GHC100 more to sustain their lives.
Dialysis fee has been increased from GHS380 to GHC491 by management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, according to sources.
Speaking to the media, affected individuals bemoaned the rise in their expenditure and called for government support.
“Today is my session day and because of money, I have not been able to be dialyzed and I will be coming on Thursday, my next session. Because of money, I cannot do it two times and it will affect me until the time I get money for Thursday,” one said.
Another noted that “The difference is by a GHC111. It is too much.”
To mitigate the effect, a patient said “They (gov’t) should put on Health Insurance or take care of for some years so we can ease the burden on our families and friends.”
The Renal Patients Association of Ghana has kicked against the move with its President, Kojo Bafour Ahenkora, calling for its postponement until efforts to include dialysis treatment costs under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) are finalized.
Conversations surrounding dialysis have long been prominent, with the cost of treatment and insufficient machines remaining persistent issues.
In September last year, the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) increased the cost of renal dialysis from GHS¢380 to GHS¢765.42.
After public outcry, management of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital indicated that the price review proposed by its Renal Dialysis Unit was yet to be approved. The said increment in fees did not take effect.
On the subject matter, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has raised concerns about the National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIA) allocation of GH¢2 million for dialysis support to needy patients this year.
He believes that a more sufficient allocation would have been GH¢10 million.
Meanwhile, patients receiving treatment at the Dialysis unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital have voiced concerns regarding treatment delays attributed to the limited number of functional Dialysis machines available.
In a related event, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi is positioning itself as a leader in the management and treatment of kidney diseases and renal failure.
The hospital has installed three brand new dialysis machines, which are currently in full operation. An additional 12 new dialysis machines will be installed by the end of May 2024 to enhance its operations.
Professor Otchere Addai-Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, announced plans to focus on children with renal problems, ensuring they have access to dialysis treatment at the facility.
Numerous individuals relying on dialysis to sustain their lives are now compelled to forgo their essential treatments as a result of a significant rise in expenses.
The surge in price, soaring from 380.00 to 491.00 Ghana cedis, has made the treatment financially out of reach for numerous patients, pushing them into dire circumstances.
These individuals, already contending with the complexities of their health conditions, are now confronted with an insurmountable predicament.
Adding to the distress is the awareness that the price escalation was sanctioned by the governing body.
For these patients, it’s a harsh reality to accept.
The Director of the Labour Research and Policy Institute at the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, has rejected claims by Economist Professor Stephen Adei that Ghanaian workers are less productive than their Togolese counterparts.
Professor Adei had stated that Ghanaian workers are among the least productive globally and that Togolese workers are more productive than Ghanaians.
In an interview with Bernard Avle on Citi TV’s Point of View on Workers’ Day, Wednesday, May 1, Dr. Otoo defended Ghanaian workers, stating that they are hardworking despite facing challenges.
Dr. Otoo questioned whether Professor Adei would choose Togo over Ghana for medical surgery.
“Prof. Adei said Ghanaian workers are lazy, and less productive, if he happens to have a medical condition that requires medical surgery will he go to Togo or Korle Bu? Since the Togolese workers including the medical doctors are more productive than the Ghanaian ones.
“He has a morbid hatred for Ghanaian workers and unions. His claim to fame in Ghana is what he did at GIMPA. He didn’t do those things with Togolese workers. There were drivers and security people he worked with when he was there. And the least thing these people expect from him is this kind of comment.”
While acknowledging some challenges with the attitudes of certain Ghanaian workers towards work, Dr. Otoo emphasized that Professor Adei could have communicated his comments more constructively.
“We recognise there’s a challenge about attitudes to work, we are doing something about it. If you want to help, this is not the way a professor should go. There’s a way that professors can help us address some of the challenges. But they should find a nicer way, collaborative way of saying it.
“When you google Prof Adei, you will not find a single research document he has put there, it’s all about condemnations and castigations of Ghanaian workers. What is the basis to say that a Ghanaian worker is not productive?” Dr Otoo asked.
Dr. Otoo criticized the government for complaining about the attitudes of workers without implementing the necessary measures to support their work.
“Can any government or any employer come and tell us what they have been doing about productivity? except to perpetually complain that the Ghanaian worker is unproductive without evidence,” he asserted.
The management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has refuted claims that critical surgeries were cancelled on Monday, April 29, due to the ongoing power outages affecting the facility.
Reports circulated in the media on Monday suggested that patients in need of critical medical procedures were sent back to their wards due to the power outages, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor.’
However, the hospital’s management released a statement stating that such reports were misleading.
They clarified that Monday’s incident was actually caused by a low current situation at the facility, which lasted approximately 45 minutes.
The statement clarified that “two cases at the Department of Surgery were returned to the ward at the end of the day on account of limited space in the recovery ward and not because of power outage. The rest of the other theatres spread across the hospital all carried out their surgeries as scheduled.”
The hospital also urged the public to be cautious in sharing unverified stories, as they can undermine public confidence and cause unnecessary fear and discomfort among patients.
“We wish to appeal to the media to exercise great circumspection in publishing stories that are not fully verified because they undermine public confidence and create unnecessary fear and discomfort among our patients,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, Health Minister-designate Bernard Okoe-Boye has advised health facilities to utilize alternative power sources, particularly generator sets, in response to the recent erratic power supply.
He emphasized that hospitals are integral parts of the country and are thus affected by any challenges the nation faces.
“Because someone did a video of one minute, and 40 seconds and said lights have gone out, everybody goes emotional. The truth is that, if the country experiences some issues with power availability, hospitals are not outside the country, they will also experience some.”
“Another truth is that most of our hospitals have standby power plants, but just like management of a house, you can go to a house, they have a generator but maybe the generator has an issue.”
Speaking at a press briefing during his visit to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, he added “The one to put in petrol has an issue. Let’s stick to the essentials. Let’s ask a hospital, how is your generator? Is it working? If it’s not working, have you approached the ministry? If it’s working, who was in charge? Why didn’t you make it work? I don’t want to go into the details. We should not get sensational. Let’s stick to the essentials.
“If we want to discuss power supply in hospitals and standby generators, let’s discuss it. That is the way to make progress. You can do an audit, in Accra, there are 40 government hospitals, out of the 40, about thirty have power plants. Ten don’t have. Doctor, what are you doing about it? That is the way to make progress,” the minister-designate said.
Multiple crucial surgeries slated for Monday, April 29, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital had to be canceled due to intermittent power disruptions.
Patients scheduled for tumor surgeries were brought to the surgical theater but were eventually returned to the wards as doctors deemed the power situation unreliable.
An anonymous doctor expressed concern, stating,“These are critical cases, and we can’t afford to risk people’s lives,”
Furthermore, dysfunctional elevators left numerous patients stranded on different floors for extended periods, exacerbating the situation.
Sources revealed that even the hospital’s generator was non-operational, adding to the distress of medical staff.
“This is the second time my surgery was cancelled. The first was because the oxygen machine wasn’t working. Today, it’s due to power fluctuations. I’m really scared, but what can I do? I leave everything to God.”
A Ghanaian woman has leveled accusations against a nurse at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, alleging that the nurse caused the death of her grandmother out of sheer vindictiveness following a relative’s perceived disrespect toward the nurse.
In a viral video circulating on social media, the woman can be heard expressing her anguish over the alleged demise of her grandmother.
She asserted that a nurse at Korle-Bu was responsible for her grandmother’s death as a form of retribution for her aunt’s purported rudeness toward the nurse.
In the video, she voiced concerns about safety in Ghana and demanded accountability for the nurse’s actions.
“Why would you talk to a nurse anyhow. She is a human being too. Learn to be polite at all times and especially when you need help. Respect is reciprocal. Shame on u all🙄🙄🙄” one netizen said.
Another opined: “Korle bu. Hmm. Had my thyroidectomy done there in 2017 and I can tell for a fact that most of the nurses are very rude and unprofessional. The night shift nurses won’t even mind you when you’re asking for help during the night,”
The Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Cletus Avoka, has called upon the government to prioritize the construction of an airport in Bolgatanga, the capital of the Upper East Region.
Mr Avoka underscores the critical need for swift medical attention, citing instances of lives lost during the transfer of patients to medical facilities in Greater Accra.
He argues that an airport in the region would not only expedite medical responses but also address security concerns, particularly amidst insurgencies in the Sahel and neighboring towns like Bawku.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament on Thursday, March 14, Avoka stressed the strategic significance of having an airport in the Upper East Region.
“We share a border with two countries and because of the security challenges in the Sahel, we need to mobilise troops to Bolgatanga and quickly deploy them to the areas if there is a problem which doesn’t exist in this modern era.
“Somebody is involved in an accident and unless there is a helicopter, which even takes three hours from Accra to Bolgatanga, but if there was a flight, it would have taken just one hour to Korle Bu and we are missing that due to the lack of an airport.”
Ghana Prisons Service has broken its silence regarding the reported escape of a Chinese national who was serving a one-year jail term for theft at the Nsawam Maximum Security Prison.
The incident took place during the individual’s medical assessment at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
Superintendent Abdul Latif Adamu, the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, confirmed the escape and revealed that the inmate, Wang Xiao, was undergoing medical examination at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital at the time of the incident.
During an interview on Citi FM on February 12, 2024, he elaborated that despite being escorted by prison officers, Xiao managed to escape.
“It is indeed true that an incident like that has come to the attention of the service, and we can confirm that, yes, an escape has happened at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where an inmate, a Chinese to be specific who was sent there for assessment for medical care, unfortunately, escaped.
“As it stands now, the issue is seriously under investigation, and we have mounted a strategy to search for and, if possible, recapture him. he was a convict serving a one-year jail term. the inmate in question was on transfer to Korle-Bu Hospital; it was a dental problem,” he said.
Superintendent Abdul Latif Adamu continued, “Officers were deployed to supervise him to ensure that he was escorted to the hospital and then back to the facility but unfortunately, this happened.
“That is why investigations are very necessaryto establish how it happened and the factors that actually caused it. We have gotten a lot of leads that have proven to be successful in what we are doing,” he added.
In a separate report by the state-owned graphiconline.com, DSP Irene Pokuah Wiredu, Head of Media Relations for the service, disclosed that a wanted person notice has been issued, urging the public to assist in re-arresting Wang Xiao.
Renal Patients Association of Ghana has issued a warning about the potential consequences for patients if theKorle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) proceeds with a planned increase in dialysis fees.
This concern arises as reports indicate that the hospital’s renal unit is facing a new debt of GH₵2 million, just three months after the government settled a previous debt of GH₵4 million.
Dr. Owusu Sekyere, the Director of Medical Affairs at KBTH, revealed that the current cost of dialysis exceeds GH₵720 per session, while patients currently contribute only GH₵380.
This significant difference in costs presents a major financial burden for patients, as emphasized by Baffour Kojo Ahenkorah, President of the Renal Patients Association. Ahenkorah highlighted the financial strain already experienced by association members who struggle to afford the current dialysis fees.
During an interview with Selorm Adonoo on Eyewitness News, Ahenkorah expressed deep concern, stating that any increase in prices would have devastating consequences for patients.
While acknowledging the financial challenges faced by the hospital, Mr. Ahenkorah urged the government to intervene urgently and find a solution.
“We knew this would come one day even though it has come a bit early because they wanted to charge GH767.42 and they were pushed to cut it down to GH¢380. So definitely, there was going to be underrecovery there. But this is the reality on the ground. The consumables are more expensive. But here we are; we all know the economy that we are in. Even for the 380, we can’t pay. The government has to come in.”
“People are going to die again. People are going to die again on this thing…So we will just plead with the government to do something.”
A 42-year-old sickle cell patient, Stephen Danquah, is grappling with priapism, a rare and distressing condition causing a prolonged and painful erection for two days without sexual stimulation.
Danquah, unable to urinate or find relief, expressed his agony to Accra-based TV3, contemplating suicide due to the unbearable pain.
Neglected by fearful family members, Mr Danquah struggles to raise funds for medication and surgery advised by Korle Bu Teaching Hospital doctors, warning of potential life-threatening consequences if untreated.
“I have an erection which has not been able to go down for two days. Then also I am suffering with my scrotum and my penis. I am not able to pass urine or even get to sleep. I have been crying since.
“Even my family members don’t want to come closer to me because of my condition. As a result, I have been struggling to get money to take care of myself, get medications or go for a review. I was told by the hospital, Korle Bu, to at least try and get the surgery done otherwise, I would lose my life.
“… Because of the pain I am going through, sometimes, I get the urge to take my life because I am in pain. At the moment, I am not bothered about where to sleep, I am only concerned about how to get this off me,” he explained.
Facing immense pain, Danquah has contemplated suicide, prioritizing treatment over basic needs.
A urologist highlighted priapism’s impact on sickle cell patients, emphasizing its concern for both short and long-term effects on their lives.
Priapism is a medical emergency, trapping blood in the penis and causing prolonged and painful erections. If untreated, it can lead to severe complications, including permanent damage, erectile dysfunction, or gangrene.
A male sickle cell patient is battling with priapism, enduring severe pains for days as his conditions worsen.
The unit had been temporarily closed in May for renovation, and when it was reopened, patients were faced with increased costs, ranging from GH¢380 to GH¢765.42.
Protests erupted due to these proposed higher charges, prompting the immediate closure of the facility, even though it continued to provide intensive care for severe cases.
The hospital’s management also initiated an internal inquiry into the pricing, as it had not received parliamentary approval.
The closure of the facility sparked public outrage, leading to Parliament summoning the Minister of Health to address the issue. Prior to his appearance on Thursday, November 9, Kwaku Agyeman Manu instructed the hospital’s management to admit outpatients once again.
This directive was issued on Thursday, November 2, according to Isaac Baah Ofei, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Health.
“The Minister has directed the Chief Executive Officer of Korle-Bu to, as a matter of urgency, see to the opening of the centre, and so he directed as well that it be opened,” Mr Baah Offei disclosed in an interview on TV3.
On Tuesday, November 7, Godwin Asediba of TV3 reported from the unit that, although it has been reopened to outpatients, they are now required to provide laboratory results before being scheduled for dialysis.
This measure has been implemented as a precautionary step to guard against the potential introduction of bacteria from procedures conducted at private centres in the recent past.
“I am a bit relieved,” a kidney patient said.
“At least, it’s quite better than doing it outside. I am more comfortable doing it over here than outside. Korle Bu is the best.”
But some of the patients have raised concerns that the facilities at the unit may break down due to pressure from the over 251 of them seeking care.
According to them, if government does not beef up the numberof pieces of equipment at the unit, it may be shut down again in the next month or two.
The Renal Patients Association disclosed that a total of 14 outpatients from the renal unit at the renowned Korle Bu Teaching Hospital succumbed to their conditions after the unit was abruptly closed to them in May 2023.
The spokesperson for the Association, Michael Asante, addressed the media during a press conference held in Accra on Monday, shedding light on the tragic circumstances surrounding these deaths.
According to Asante, the demise of these patients was primarily attributed to their inability to access crucial dialysis treatment at private dialysis centers, a dire situation exacerbated by the closure of the hospital unit. He further explained that the patients were compelled to resort to private facilities where the cost of dialysis treatment far exceeded the rates offered at the hospital, making it financially burdensome for them to continue their essential medical treatments. This heartbreaking revelation underscores the pressing need for accessible and affordable healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable patients who depend on these life-saving treatments.
“As we speak, the renal unit has been closed since 22 May 2023 up to date to outpatients,” Asante said. “Patients have gone through turbulent times as we struggle to finance our dialysis treatment at private dialysis centres across the centres. Unfortunately, during this shutdown period, we have lost about 14 of our friends…This has left the rest of us living in constant fear for our tomorrow. This is because we do not know who amongst us will be next to lose their lives needlessly.”
Asante appealed to the government to waive the costs of dialysis treatment for renal patients and to include these cases in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
The Ministry of Health has taken a strong stance against the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital’s management for unilaterally raising the fees for dialysis services without following proper procedures, including seeking approval from Parliament or the ministry itself.
This condemnation came in response to reports that kidney failure patients seeking dialysis treatment at the hospital’s Renal Unit were subjected to a substantial fee increase, with the new charge amounting to GH765, a significant jump from the initial fee of GH385.
The ministry has acted swiftly by summoning the hospital’s management to provide explanations for implementing the revised fee structure without adhering to the required legal and procedural protocols. Isaac Offei Baah, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Health, decried this fee revision as “illegal” during an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, emphasizing the importance of due process in such matters, especially when they directly affect the healthcare and financial well-being of patients.
In Ghana, kidney patients have to undergo dialysis at least 2 or 3 times every week to remove waste products from their blood when their kidneys fail or are infected.
During each dialysis session, the patient’s blood is drawn from their body through a needle and passed through a special filter that removes harmful substances. The cleaned blood is then returned to the body. However, this essential procedure comes with a high financial burden for individuals.
In Ghana, the cost of each dialysis session amounts to an average of GHC 600, and this is in addition to other required medications that may cost close to GHC 300.
For kidney failure patients aiming for a higher chance of survival, regular visits to the hospital every week are necessary. Depending on the number of sessions required, individuals may end up spending either GHC 7,200 or GHC 10,800 every month on dialysis.
The seriousness of the situation cannot be understated, as failure to continue and be consistent with the dialysis sessions may put the individual’s life at risk.
“As I speak, at my center; Korle Bu cannot take all of us so after admission, they give you a list of centers, and you pick the one that is closer to you. At the moment, at my center, a session is 650 cedis, and that’s just the dialysis.
“And you have to take what is called EPO Iron injection, so that your blood levels do not drop. There are two ways to make sure that your iron levels do not drop. One – your kidney does not produce the iron needed for blood production so sometimes your blood will drop if you have a kidney issue,” he said.
“And two – Because the blood passes through the dialyser or the machine, obviously at the end of every session, there is some amount of blood that is taken by the machine so you always need to be on these medications to give you that optimum level of blood and that’s 230 cedis. So you add 230 cedis to 650 cedis, that’s 900 cedis and that’s what I pay per session and I do 2 sessions a week so we are looking at about 1,800 a week for just 2 sessions of dialysis.
“When the economy challenges also came, it also impacted because all these, the materials we use for dialysis are imported. Especially from the last 3 months, there’s been an increase in price of dialysis. Of course, moving from 320 cedis to 900 cedis in just 2 years should tell you what the exchange rate has done to us,”
Organ transplantation presents a potential solution to alleviate the financial burden on individuals with kidney diseases who require constant dialysis to survive.
In healthcare, organ donation and transplantation play a vital role, saving lives and enhancing the quality of life for many. Ghana recognizes the importance of these medical interventions and is actively working to raise awareness and enact relevant legislation in this domain.
Although organ transplants can be costly, Prof. Matthew Kyei, a Urologist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, highlights that undergoing a transplant saves individuals from the ongoing expenses of dialysis, which may not guarantee long-term health after 5-10 years.
However, for organ transplants to occur, appropriate legal frameworks are necessary to ensure the legal and ethical harvesting and availability of organs, such as kidneys, for patients in need.
At present, Ghana lacks proper laws governing organ harvesting, donation, and transplantation.
To address this issue, GhanaWeb, the country’s leading digital news platform, is joining forces with the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to launch an aggressive campaign. The primary goal is to advocate for comprehensive legislation that will regulate and guide organ harvesting, donation, and transplantation in the country through parliamentary approval.
The government has been urged to absorb the cost of all cancer treatment in the country.
That, according to the Principal Medical Physicist at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Theophilus Sackey, was crucial to limiting the exposure of patients to quacks and unsafe treatments that often lead to complications and loss of lives.
“Depending on the treatment modality one is put on, one can spend a minimum of GHC10,000 on each and that is an amount the average Ghanaian cannot raise.
“People come here and once they are told the cost, they go soliciting for funds and by the time they come back, a stage one case which could have been easily treated has developed to stage three. Unfortunately, cancer cannot wait and government must help absorb more of these bills,” he pleaded.
Dr. Sackey spoke to the Ghanaian Times at the launch of the center’s 25th-anniversary celebration, which has the vision to provide comprehensive treatment to enhance the quality of life and prolong the survival rate of cancer patients in the sub-region.
On the theme; “25 years of excellence in comprehensive cancer care in Ghana” the celebration brought together founding and present staff of the centre as well as other health professionals at the hospital.
Dr. Sackey cautioned cancer patients against using herbal products and unorthodox medications purported to cure cancers.
“From what we know, most of these treatments don’t work. For instance, in the case of breast cancer, there are different kinds, so there is no one size fits all drug or herb that can treat it. Some don’t survive and others have worsened conditions.
Once you are diagnosed, report at the health facility. Currently, we have the capacity to manage all types of cancer in the country and if government is able to support the cost of treatment, we can save lots of lives,” he said.
Reading a speech on behalf of the sector Minister, the Director of Technical Co-ordination at the Ministry, Dr. Baffour Awuah, commended the center for its contribution towards reducing cancer deaths and improving the survival rate of cancer patients in the country.
“The center has reduced referrals of cancer patients outside the country. Now this country can boast of cancer survivors. Twenty-five years of this centre has resulted in comprehensive cancer care in the country, training in the health force for Ghana and Africa, and also a lot of research is ongoing and we all look forward to achieving universal health coverage in cancer care in the country.”
The head of the centre, Dr. Joel Yarney, said it was the hope of the centre to become an ultramodern centre for the diagnosis and management of cancer across the sub-region.
“Cancer is not a death sentence. Early diagnosis and treatment save lives and we encourage all to seek early treatment,” he advised.
Some activities lined up for the 25th anniversary include free cervical and breast cancer screening for staff of KBTH and residents of Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region, a health walk, fundraising and awards for health staff.
A public health analyst, Samuel Arthur, has that if the E-bed system is revived, the Ghana Health Service(GHS) can address the problem of unavailable beds at hospitals.
Speaking on Starr Today with Awusi Dede on Friday, February 17, 2023, Mr. Arthur indicated that the government can solve the no-bed issue that has bedevilled the country for some time now when authorities are held accountable.
“I know over the years the Ghana Health Service started something that is the E-bed system which virtually was to help to have real-time information about beds that were available in facilities within certain networks. But I don’t know how far we have come with that. That was somewhere in 2017 so we are about seven years now. Where are we with the E-bed? Is it something that was piloted and abandoned? Or is it something that we felt could not help us?” Mr. Arthur asked.
He continued: “If not, let’s get people to come together and see how we can use technology to deal with this. If not we will have people get to the facility only to be told that there is no bed. And their only option will be to be moving from one facility to another ending up in fatalities in most cases which in most cases we can avoid, so unfortunate.”
Background
An eleven (11) year old girl Linda Mirekua dying from kidney disease has reportedly been denied admission at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital over the unavailability of a medical bed.
Mirekua from Nobi, a farming community in Abuakwa North Municipality has been diagnosed with kidney disease but left to die in the house due to the inability of her physically challenged poor mother to foot the cost of her dialysis.
Her condition worsened in recent times and was admitted to Akyem Tafo Government Hospital.
Linda’s situation was posted on a local social media platform where GHC6,000 was mobilized from contributions of philanthropists for dialysis service atKorle BuTeaching Hospital.
However, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on Thursday, February 16, 2023, reportedly denied her admission over the unavailability of a bed.
Management of Akyem Tafo Hospital further contacted the University of Ghana Medical Center (UGMC) to refer Linda Mirekua but UGMC is demanding the patient to pay GHC8,000 medical bill arrears own the facility last year and be prepared for “cash and carry” before she will be admitted for the dialysis service.
Linda Mirekua is stranded at Akyem Tafo Government hospital as her condition deteriorates.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has expressed dissatisfaction with the unfair and unequitable distribution of medical doctors in the country, describing it as a discrimination against Northern Ghana.
Speaking at the 64th Annual General Conference of the GMA in Bolgatanga, Dr Frank Serebour, the National President, GMA, said the situation was having dire health consequences on the already deprived and underserved regions and posed threats to quality of healthcare delivery in those areas.
He stated for instance that the Upper East Region had a total of 89 medical doctors, out of which only 30 were currently at post due to further studies, depriving many vulnerable communities of quality healthcare.
“This number is equivalent to a single department in our teaching hospitals in Korle-Bu and Komfo Anokye, and the numbers are not different from other deprived regions in the country”.
According to Dr Serebour, many healthcare facilities in Northern Ghana in particular, were being served by one doctor while some doctors had spent all their working lives in the South particularly in Accra and Kumasi.
He described the situation as an indictment on the management of the healthcare system in Ghana and underscored the need for an open and honest discussion to resolve the skewed distribution of doctors.
“Until there is a total transparency and fair play in transfers based on the needs of institutions, there will always be brave people who would refuse postings to deprived areas,” he lamented.
Apart from urging the government to design incentive package to attract and retain doctors in rural and deprived areas, Dr Serebour urged the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, particularly the District Assemblies to provide basic structures for doctors and other health workers.
This, he said, coupled with improved condition of service, would not only motivate doctors and other health workers to work in deprived communities but would help prevent the brain drain of doctors which was on the ascendancy.
“These packages may include well-furnished accommodation, top up salaries up to the tune of 50 per cent of their total salaries, full scholarships for further training, either within or outside the country after three years of continuous and dedicated service,” he added.
Mr Stephen Yakubu, Upper East Regional Minister, indicated that shortage of doctors especially in the Upper East Region was worrying to stakeholders and needed collective approach to resolving the issue.
He said over the years, doctors had refused postings to the region and the Regional Coordinating Council had tasked the Municipal and District Assemblies to identify and sponsor students to pursue medicine and bond them to work in the region.
He said the region was benefitting eight district hospitals under the government’s agenda 111 project and there was the need to attract and retain more doctors.
Mr Mahama Sei Seini, the Deputy Minister of Health, lauded the efforts of the GMA for the continuous contribution towards ensuring quality healthcare in the country.
He said as part of the government’s to achieve Universal Health Coverage, the Ministry had set up a committee on rural incentive package to attract health workers to rural areas and added that the committee had finished and submitted its report.
The conference was on the theme, “Doctor distribution dilemma: the case of Ghana and its underserved areas”.
The Chief Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, Julius Kuunor, has said management is making efforts to acquire land in all 16 regions to establish fire colleges and training schools, to ensure adequate manpower for the Service.
According to him, recruits will no longer travel long distances to the Fire Academy and Training School (FATS) at James Town, the only institution which exposes recruits to the rudiments of the profession in the country.
Mr. Kuunor made this known when the Fire Service Council, paid its first working visit to the Greater Accra Regional Command at Korle-Bu.
The visit to the Greater Accra Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service was to introduce members of the Council to the Personnel and acquaint themselves with the challenges confronting Fire Officers in the region.
At the durbar, the Greater Accra Regional Commander, DCFO Richard Gibril Nuhu promised that the command will work hard to fight against the common enemy ‘fire’ to achieve the common goal of protecting lives, property, and investment.
The Chief Fire Officer, Julius Kuunor outlined some plans for Officers of the Service.
The Chairman of the Council, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi while encouraging the officers to continue the good work in saving lives and property, he promised that the Council will support the Management to protect the wellbeing of all officers.
The New Council inaugurated by the President in September last week, is to ensure the growth of GNFS.
The Greater Accra Regional Command is the 4th fire command the Council has visited.
The Cancer Support Network Ghana (CSNGH), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has donated GHC 8, 000.00 towards the surgery of a 12-year-old cancer patient.
The boy, Bright Acheampong Obour, underwent 10 cycles of chemotherapy to treat spindle cell sarcoma.
Spindle cell sarcoma is a rare cancerous tumour, which can develop in the bone or soft tissue and can also arise in any part of the body but is most common in the limbs.
Obour, who has been out of school for two terms due to his ailment need the amount for excision and skin grafting.
His parents spent huge sums of money for chemotherapy on the boy and were finding difficulty in raising the GHC 8, 000.00.
Mr Richard Mumuni, Media Relations Officer of the CSNGH, presented the cheque to GHC 8,000 to the parents of Obour at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), in Accra.
Mr Mumuni stated that CSBGH’s attention was drawn to the predicament of the boy and decided to assist him.
He said the cost of cancer treatment was high and called on individuals and corporate institutions to assist cancer patients.
Mr Mumuni assured that the NGO would continue to support cancer patients in the country, adding “sometimes people are unable to survive cancer because of financial constraints so let us all come on board and support patients by paying their bills.”
Receiving the cheque, Bright’s father, Mr Joseph KwabenaObour, expressed gratitude to CSNGH for the support.
He said “We have really spent a lot on his treatment so getting GHC 8,000.00 for this excision and skin grafting would have been very hard for us but luckily CSNGH came to our rescue and we are here today, happy and looking forward to the day he will be booked for the procedure. We are elated and grateful.”
Portable Practical Educational Preparation(PPEP), a Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO) that focuses on health care education has embarked on a free health screening exercise for residents of Ga Mashie in central Accra. More than 200 residents benefited from it.
The beneficiaries were screened for hypertension, diabetes and other health conditions by a medical team from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
Some of the beneficiaries who were diagnosed of various conditions were counselled and referred to health facilities for further medical care.
Quality health careÂ
The Project Co-ordinator of PPEP, Anita Annan, told the Daily Graphic that the exercise was part of efforts to ensure quality healthcare delivery in the area.
“Our NGO has been organising health outreach programmes to educate people nationwide on the prevention of diabetes and hypertension on a daily basis to help the public to improve on their wellbeing,” she said.
Mrs Annan noted that many people did not undertake regular check-ups due to funds and resources, for which reason the foundation and its partner conducted the screening exercise to offer access to free medical treatment from specialists.
She, however, advised the public to regularly visit health facilities for check-ups to improve on their health.
Diabetics
The matron of the Korle-BuDiabetic Centre, Eunice Boafo, said reported cases of diabetes were on the increase at the centre.
“About 70 to 80 people, aged between 40 and 60, report daily at the centre with diabetes,†she stated.
She said about 80 per cent of the residents within Ga Mashie who were screened showed symptoms of hypertension.
She, therefore, advised the public to adopt healthy lifestyles by exercising and eating balanced diets.
The Country Director of the NGO, Edem Walter, said they had undertaken several development projects in some needy communities nationwide.
The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has commenced processes to facilitate the local production of hand sanitizers for health facilities in Ghana.
Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the move is geared towards helping the fight against COVID-19 and curbing further spread of the disease.
This comes after a woman identified as Rev. Dr. Nana Yaa Owusu-Prempeh shared how the failure of the hospital to treat her young nephew’s case with emergency resulted in his death.
While making the revelation, she mentioned among other things, that the emergency ward of the hospital, where her nephew was rushed to after suffering a fall in the bathroom, did not have any sanitisers at the time of their arrival.
Sharing her ordeal in a viral video, she said; “We get there, first thing, I want sanitisers for my hands, and there are no sanitisers at the emergency room at the Korle Bu Teaching hospital.”
Meanwhile, the production of sanitisers, according to the UNDP, falls in line with the programme’s multi-pronged approach to support the national COVID-19 response by promoting effective health care waste management.
“This ranges from monitoring and enforcement of best practices, training of frontline workers, provision of reference manuals and logistics (PPEs and consumables) for health care waste management, to reduce risks and infections,” a statement released by them read.
Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Daniel Asare, reacting to the move, thanked UNDP for responding to the call by the President, His Excellency Nana Akuffo-Addo, on all stakeholders to support local innovations.
“For us in the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, this partnership is a demonstration of the capacity that exists locally in harnessing innovations to accelerate development. We thank UNDP for believing in our capability.” He said.
Through the intervention, UNDP has also donated some 11,150 litres of hand sanitizers (5,000 pieces of 230ml bottles and 2,000 pieces of 5 litres refill bottles, with 162 dispensers) to the Ministry of Health to support 21 key facilities playing leading roles in the testing and management of COVID-19 cases across the country.
NURSES at the Accident and Emergency Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital have resumed work Wednesday following a successful meeting they held on Monday, April 6 with the head of department (HOD) of the centre.
They are however, warning that they would not hesitate to withdraw their services if at any point in time they felt the safety of staff and patients was being threatened by the actions and inactions of the management team.
“It is important to note that we are resuming work against our earlier position to have all tests results before resuming work. This decision was taken with our dear clients in mind, considering the important space occupied by the Accident and Emergency Centre. The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in the Ghanaian healthcare industry and more especially this trying time of fighting an invisible deadly viral agent,†a letter signed by the nurses at the centre to the HOD said.
The letter which did not give details of the meeting held between the nurses and the HOD, was copied to the chief executive officer of the hospital.
Boycott
On Monday, staff of the centre said they were not going to work until they were all tested for the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
According to them, they wanted to ensure that they were all safe before resuming work after a patient who was on admission at the facility tested positive for the disease.
The staff said they feared for their lives given the situation at the place.
An initial press statement from the staff, especially the nurses said they were not going to work because of the fear of contracting the COVID-19.
Statement
“We write in line to the content of a letter circulating about a patient who tested positive to COVID-19 at the Accident and Emergency Center. It is sad to inform our heads of department that it has created fear and panic among we the nurses who are always close to the patients.
“We write with deep pain and regret as such information has been kept from us and consequently putting us at risk. As we write this letter, a substantial number of nurses at the center are not in their right state of mind. We are emotionally and psychologically stressed and saddened with fear and panic,†it said.
The nurses said their head of department informed them of a planned mass testing for staff but they were yet to be informed of a date for the exercise.
“We, therefore, come together as aggrieved nurses of this center that we are not working until everyone in the department is tested and results submitted and sorted out.
“Also, all the appropriate PPE should be provided to aid us work effectively and efficiently without putting ourselves and patients at risk,†the statement said.
Provision of those demands, they said would help them deal with all forms of psychological and emotional stress, “so we can work with sound minds and give our patients the best of careâ€.
Staff
During a visit to the Accident Centre, some of the staff told the Daily Graphic that although a disinfection exercise was carried out at the place over the weekend, they too had to be tested “to be sure that we are safe before working.â€
They said as the country had introduced measures to prevent the further spread of the disease, it would be prudent to have them tested so that it does not spread further.
Nurses at the Accidents and Emergency Centre of the Korle Bu Teaching Hosptial have said they will not work until all of them are tested for coronavirus.
The nurses said the move has become necessary after a patient was tested positive for COVID-19 at the Accidents and Emergency Centre but the information was kept from them by their superiors thereby putting them at risk.
“As we write this letter, a substantial number of nurses at the centre are not in their right state of mind. We are emotionally and psychologically stressed and saddened with fear and panic,” the nurses said in a statement.
“We, therefore, come together as aggrieved nurses of this centre that we are not working until everyone in the department is tested and results submitted and sorted out,” the statement added.
The nurses also want to be provided with the Personal Protective Equipment to protect them.
Doctors at the same department had earlier threatened to withdraw their services over claims of poor preparedness to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Below is the full statement:
COALITION OF NURSES AT ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY CENTRE, KORLE-BU TEACHING HOSPITAL
We write in line to the content of a letter circulating about a patient who tested positive to COVID-19 at the Accident and Emergency Center.
It is sad to inform our heads of department that it has created fear and panic among we the nurses who are always close to the patients.
We write with deep pain and regret as such information has been kept from us and consequently putting us at risk.
Do not give audience to people who don’t believe coronavirus exists – Media urged
Volume 90%
As we write this letter, a substantial number of nurses at the centre are not in their right state of mind.
We are emotionally and psychologically stressed and saddened with fear and panic.
Our head of department informed us of a planned mass testing for staffs but we are yet to be informed of a date for the exercise.
Our official letter for this action is ready and will be submitted to the appropriate offices on Monday, April 6, 2020.
We, therefore, come together as aggrieved nurses of this centre that we are not working until everyone in the department is tested and results submitted and sorted out.
Also, all the appropriate PPEs should be provided to aid us work effectively and efficiently without putting ourselves and patients at risk.
This will help us deal with all forms of psychological and emotional stress, so we can work with sound minds and give our patients the best of care.
In conclusion, all we want to say is, NO TESTING WITH SUBMITTED RESULTS, NO WORK, NO APPROPRIATE PPEs, NO WORK
Management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has announced the suspension of all “elective surgeries except Caesarean section.â€
This follows the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country which has forced government to close down schools and ban all public gatherings.
Ghana has so far recorded seven cases of the disease.
The Chief Executive of the KATH Dr Oheneba Owusu-Danso, in a statement on Tuesday, 17 March 2020 to emphasise additional measures put in place by management of the hospital to forestall the potential spread of the deadly COVID-19 indicated that “all elective surgeries have been suspended except Caesarean sections, all out-patient(OPD) clinics have been closed down until further notice, all clinical meetings and seminars have been suspended and all clinical rotations and attachments by all categories of students have been suspended.â€
However, the measures do not affect the provision of “emergency services at all the emergency operational areas of the hospital. Consequently, the Accident and Emergency Centre, Family Medicine Directorate (Polyclinic) and the Paediatric Emergency Unit shall continue to offer emergency services. The Labour Wards and Baby Unit (MBU) shall continue to offer normal services.”
KATH, however, advised the public to “stop using Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as a thoroughfare in their own interest.â€
The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra has suspended all non-emergency surgeries and OPD services as management announces additional measures to stem the spread of deadly novel Coronavirus outbreak in the country.
“All elective surgeries, have been suspended except Caesarean sections,†the hospital announced Tuesday, stating the measures take immediate effect.
All clinical rotations and attachments by all categories of students have also been suspended in the new precautionary measures as the confirmed cases of the virus recorded in the country rise to seven.
Clinical meetings and seminars have all also been cancelled until further notice.
A statement issued by the hospital said provision of emergency services at all the emergency operational areas of the hospital will however not be affected.
“[The] Accident and Emergency Centre, Family Medicine Directorate (Polyclinic) and the Paediatric Emergency Unit shall continue to offer emergency services,†the statement said.
It said the Labour Wards and Mother & Baby Unit (MBU) will also continue to offer normal services.
The hospital said the Coronavirus situation “is constantly under evaluationâ€, and noted there will be modifications to the measures announced as and when it becomes necessary.
It encouraged the public efforts being made by government and all stakeholders to ensure the safety of all in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic which has triggered lockdowns in parts of the world.
The hospital has meanwhile advised the public against using the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital “as a thoroughfareâ€, warning they do so in their own interest.
Patient visits restrictions
Earlier last Friday, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital announced it was limiting visits to patients on admission at the facility on the back of the virus outbreak.
It said patients on admission can receive only two relatives as visitors, the hospital management announced in a statement a day after Ghana recorded its first cases.
“In the case of the Department of Child Health only parents/guardians of the patient are permitted to visit. This measure has become necessary because patients are already vulnerable and can therefore easily be infected,†it said.
Seven confirmed cases
The covid-19 pandemic which originated in China late last year has infected more than 182,400 people and killed over 7,100 globally.
Ghana has since March 12 confirmed seven cases of the virus with no fatalities. All cases were imported into the country.
Health officials say all the seven patients who have been quarantined, are in stable condition.
Contact tracing is currently ongoing and officials say they have so far traced a total 350 people as having had contact with six of the patients.
Government has announced what some believe to be bold measures, including travel restrictions and closure of all schools in the country as well as a ban of social gatherings to stem the spread of the virus.
Businesses and other workplaces, however, continue to operate, but have been directed to observe prescribed social distancing between patrons and staff.
Establishments, such as supermarkets, shopping malls, restaurants, night clubs, hotels and drinking spots, have also been advised by government to observe enhanced hygiene procedures by providing, amongst others, hand sanitizers, running water and soap for washing of hands.
The Korle-Bu Teaching hospital (KATH) says it has quarantined a United States-based Ghanaian woman with suspected symptoms of the novel coronavirus at the facility pending further tests and investigations.
According to a statement released by the Communications Department of the hospital, while the woman was examined and is stable for the time being, it was important to seclude her until she has been cleared of not having the deadly disease.
Head of Public Relations of KBTH, Mustapha Salifu, who signed the statement claims the woman was diagnosed with a high-grade fever, and her travel history indicated that she had been to a state where the pandemic is prevalent.
“She reported yesterday at the Maternity Block and was admitted for gynecological procedure and in the process, it was detected that she had a high-grade fever,†parts of the statement read.
She was taken through laboratory tests and the results also proved that she had a bacterial infection. A sample was taken from her yesterday, March 5 and was sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute to test for the virus.
“She is in a single room at the 6th floor of the Maternity Block, staff who attend to her have been given personal protective equipment. She has been reviewed this morning and is fairly stable,†another portion of the statement said.
Meanwhile, staff members of the hospital were implored to remain calm and exhibit a high sense of professionalism.
Health authorities in Ghana have given the assurance that recording three suspected cases of coronavirus should not call for panic.
To them, although the virus was very contagious the situation is not a matter of life and death because the suspects have not shown severest of symptoms, reports Graphic Online’s health reporter, Doreen Andoh.
Some clinics on Wednesday night [February 5, 2020] referred two patients to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) on suspicion of having the coronavirus, while another suspected case was picked up at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
The one at the airport has tested negative by Noguchi, while the two picked at Korle Bu is being investigated by the research institute which is the designated testing facility for the virus.
The results are expected today. The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is preparing a press conference to update the public.
The two patients, a Chinese and an Argentine who have been living together in Ghana for some days, have been isolated at Korle Bu and their blood samples have been sent to Noguchi for further analysis.
The Director of Public Health at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Amoh, said the prevention programme rollout was a joke.
He said excluding Korle Bu, the premier medical facility in the country, was wrong, adding that the Ministry of Health gave funds to the hospitals it had designated without preparing the teaching hospital which was a major referral centre.
After announcing the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge) and the Tema General Hospital as the management centres, the health minister added that all teaching hospitals were automatic centres as they had the capacity to deal with suspected cases.
But Dr Amoh said the mistake was repeated during the Ebola virus outbreak in 2013, adding that the GH¢2.5 million funds made available to finance initial response initiatives would be dissipated by people in suit.
Dr Daniel Asare, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), has advised Ghanaians to be wary of their lifestyle as there has been an upsurge in chronic kidney disease as well as other diseases.
Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney failure, is the gradual loss of kidney function.
Chronic kidney disease is commonly caused by diabetes and high blood pressure, which are responsible for up to two-thirds of the cases, he stated.
Dr Asare revealed this at a media engagement in Accra.
He said the KBTH alone, in 2018, recorded a total of 547 chronic kidney disease cases which, he said, was alarming because the figures from other facilities were unknown.
Dr Asare said other diseases that have seen an increase include stroke 488, Pulmonary Tuberculosis 277, hypertension 223, and pneumonia 221.
The others are Diabetes Mellitus 201, congestive cardiac failure 195, severe anaemia 162, Pleural Effusion 105, as well as Hepatitis B and viral infection 71.
“These are the top ten causes of death recorded in the hospital,†he said.
He said in order to prevent the occurrence of such diseases, there was the need for people to make healthy food choices, make physical activity part of their routine, and aim for a healthy weight.
The CEO said it is advisable for everyone to get enough sleep, stop smoking and limit alcohol intake.
This, he said, when taken seriously would help reduce the numbers.
Dr Daniel Asare, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has advised Ghanaians to be wary of their lifestyle as there has been an upsurge in chronic kidney disease as well as other diseases.
Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney failure, is the gradual loss of kidney function.
Chronic kidney disease is commonly caused by diabetes and high blood pressure, which are responsible for up to two-thirds of the cases, he stated.
Dr Asare revealed this at a media engagement in Accra.
He said the KBTH alone in 2018 recorded a total of 547 chronic kidney disease cases which was alarming because figures from other facilities were yet unknown.
Dr Asare noted that this was worrying as these are non-communicable diseases which have seen an increase due to people’s lifestyle.
He said other diseases that have seen an increase include; stroke 488, Pulmonary Tuberculosis 277, hypertension 223, and pneumonia 221.
The others are Diabetes Mellitus 201, congestive cardiac failure 195, severe anaemia 162, Pleural Effusion 105, as well as Hepatitis B and viral infection 71.
“These are the top ten causes of death recorded in the Hospital,” he said. He said in order to prevent the occurrence of such diseases there was the need for people to make healthy food choices, make physical activity part of their routine, and aim for a healthy weight.
The CEO said it was advisable for everyone to get enough sleep, stop smoking and limit alcohol intake.
This, he said, when taken seriously would help reduce the numbers.
Dr Daniel Asare, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has advised Ghanaians to be wary of their lifestyles as there has been an upsurge in chronic kidney disease as well as other diseases.
Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney failure, is the gradual loss of kidney function.
Chronic kidney disease is commonly caused by diabetes and high blood pressure, which are responsible for up to two-thirds of the cases, he stated.
Dr Asare revealed this at a media engagement in Accra.
He said the KBTH alone in 2018 recorded a total of 547 chronic kidney disease cases which was alarming because figures from other facilities were unknown.
Dr Asare noted that this was worrying as these are non-communicable diseases which have seen an increase due to unhealthy lifestyles.
He said other diseases that have seen an increase include; stroke 488, Pulmonary Tuberculosis 277, hypertension 223, and pneumonia 221.
The others are Diabetes Mellitus 201, congestive cardiac failure 195, severe anaemia 162, Pleural Effusion 105, as well as Hepatitis B and viral infection 71.
“These are the top ten causes of death recorded in the Hospital,” he said.
He said in order to prevent the occurrence of such diseases there was the need for people to make healthy food choices, make physical activity part of their routine, and aim for a healthy weight.
The CEO said it is advisable for everyone to get enough sleep, stop smoking and limit alcohol intake.
This, he said, when taken seriously would help reduce the numbers.
