Backpage Of Asantehene’s Medical Facilities Tour
It is an undisputed fact that the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II cherishes and is mindful of the welfare of his people as well as persons domiciled in his jurisdiction but the intensity of the people’s love and appreciation for him was understated until he stepped out on official duty on Thursday, February 29, 2024.
The respect and love of the people towards the King was expressive and he certainly discerned its genuineness all through the day.
It all began at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) where Otumfuo was inspecting the ongoing comprehensive renovation works in the dilapidated facility by his kind courtesy. Patients, medical workers and patients’ visitors rushed out into corridors and hallways their numbers to meet and express their loyalty to him in action and word when they got wind of his presence.
The chant “Piaw” echoed through the building as His Majesty proceeded to board his car to continue his tour elsewhere after inspecting the temporary ward created to house patients vacated from Blocks where the interior renovation had started.
“We will serve you till the end,” some could be heard shouting repeatedly.
Some lucky persons who got the chance to exchange handshakes with His Majesty could not keep calm as they went out to announce their “feat”.
We were wrong to think there would be a quiet inspection at the inoperative Sawua Regional Hospital which was the King’s next port of call.
The moment the convoy of the King entered the Sawua, the community folks were spotted lined up on their feet cheering and hailing His Majesty.
As the cars filed past them, others could be spotted rushing out of their homes, one shirtless, to pay homage to the overlord of the Kingdom of Gold.
As if that was not enough, almost the whole community- the young and old- followed the convoy of the King to the hospital on foot and in car trunks and crowded round-about him as he went around to inspect various facilities there.
On his way to the Infectious Disease Centre, a woman was overheard saying to her son, “Look there. The man in the suit is Otumfuo.” It appeared the child could not decipher who the King really was as he was walking into the facility- with one of the engineers and the Ashanti Regional Director of Health- until His Majesty took out his handkerchief to wipe some beads of sweat on his face. “The one wiping his face with the handkerchief is Otumfuo,” the persistent woman finally got his son to discern.
The town finally left when the King left after concluding his inspection there.
Another fascinating aspect of the tour came about when the King visited the Manhyia Government Hospital alongside some traditional rulers. A young man struggled himself through the crowd to catch a glimpse of the King. He was among several others but he stood out when one traditional ruler tried rebuking him for hindering officials who should be going ahead of all persons who intended to follow the King.
“You (traditional rulers) have the privilege of seeing the King every day, I do not. This is my chance,” the young man reacted.
After inspecting the Children’s Unit, Surgical ward, Maternity wards and the Mother-Baby Unit (MBU), Otumfuo was led to the under-construction Emergency Unit and Diagnostic Centre.
On his way, he came across some nurses he shared handshakes with. One nurse immediately called his father and husband to break the “great news” to them. Others who had received the handshake held their hand protectively as if to prevent some blessings they had received from slipping off. Another nurse was spotted kissing her hand after the handshake.
One was overheard saying, “I would have had a sleepless night had I not shook the King’s hand.”
The facility’s medical students who had also gotten a handshake from the King went frenzy as they were spotted pacing up and down with immeasurable joy.
The tour indeed revealed the degree of admiration, respect and appreciation the people of Asanteman, particularly the upcoming generation have for the King.
