Health Facilities Must Be Given Utmost Attention Whether We Like It or Not – Otumfuo

The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has underscored the need to make conditions of health facilities central in the country’s concerns.

This was during a visit by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo, and the Board.

The delegation was at the Palace on 23 May 2025 to formally introduce members of the newly constituted Board and the new CEO to the Asantehene.

In his remarks, the Ashanti Regional President of the Ghana Medical Association committed to dedicating his services to Asanteman.

He promised the King to continue the renovation of KATH under the Asantehene-championed Heal KATH initiative.

“I know the Heal KATH project is dear to you, and we are committed to continuing and completing it with the assistance of the government to offer the needed health services to patients.”

Challenges
Next, the medical practitioner by profession highlighted challenges facing the hospital and sought the intervention of the King.

He first emphasised the effects of congestion at the facility, noting that it was a major cause of deaths at the facility.

In solving this, he proposed the completion of the stalled Maternity and Children’s Block, which he said was about 50% complete.

“The project is being funded by the UK and other partners. We urge your intervention in this because when that facility is completed, we will rid the congestion we face.”

Dr Baidoo then turned attention to a project to provide shelter to the families of patients, which has also stalled.

“We have started a project to shelter the family members of patients. It already started, but eight years ago, it stalled. With your blessings and support, we will be able to complete it. It will be very helpful when it rains and at night.”

Another challenge he named was the proximity of the residences of medical practitioners who respond to emergencies.

“Doctors and nurses who respond to emergencies have their residence at Ejisu. Some used to stay at Denyame, but now they live afar. They now take about an hour instead of 15 minutes to reach the hospital during emergencies.”

Last but not least was the encroachment of the hospital’s land by the military.

“Hospitals expand. But now our land is exhausted. The military has surrounded us, and so there is no space for expansion when the need arises. We need land for expansion to make the facility a world-class one.”

Concern
Otumfuo reacted to these with visible concern as he affirmed that issues relating to health facilities need urgent attention.

“Health facilities must be given the utmost attention whether we like it or not because we have no clue when an emergency will take us there. These challenges outlined by my grandson are very concerning.”

His Majesty assured him of all the needed support to put the facility into the best shape.

Responses
On the Heal KATH project, Otumfuo expressed his expectation to see it continuing.

“I hope you got a report from your predecessor on the work done so you can build on that. I expect you to continue the project. The government has committed to assisting.”

On the issue of land, the Asantehene said he had had engagements with the relevant authority for vacation of the land.

“We need the land for expansion. We agreed that compensation must be paid to the one who has erected a school on the land. I’m informed the school is not for the military. The military has their land. The school shouldn’t be there, so we get back our land for expansion.”

On the stalled Maternity and Children’s Block, His Majesty said all that was needed had been done.

“The President has assured us that the Maternity will be continued. It stalled due to the IMF programme. I have also engaged the British trade envoy about it.”

For the shelter for patients’ families, the King suggested they use some of their internally generated funds to complete it, as the country is currently facing challenges with finances and funding.

“When the country’s finances strengthen, we will engage the government to come help.”

Mandate
The Asantehene further reminded them of their responsibility, adding that unity would be the best element to successfully fulfil that.

“It’s all about unity. The mandate given to you all must be done efficiently. Liaise with Management and the Board on all matters. You must report all day-to-day activities to the Board so they know and take decisions for the smooth running of the hospital.”

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini