Korle-Bu Hospital Wobbles In Mismanagement
…Amid Shortage of Oxygen, Detergents & Consumables; As CEO, Senior Staff on Collision Course
A 100years on, after its establishment, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Ghana’s premier tertiary healthcare facility, is still struggling to operate smoothly, as a result of mismanagement, occasioned by greed and personal interest.
This paper is informed that those who have had cause to complain or question the happenings in the hospital are either victimized or transferred out of the facility to the Ministry of Health, a development which is fueling tension among staff.
The Anchor is informed that, basic apparatuses and consumables, needed by health workers at certain departments to work, have been in short supply for sometime now, with patients being at the receiving end.
Workers told this paper that, since last week, patients who urgently required oxygen are not getting it, while ordinary consumables and washing detergents, such as urethral catheter, gloves and parazone, are in short supply.
At the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, for instance, some nurses have had to comb the facility in search of oxygen for their patients to save lives, due to what they described as a “maggot infested system.”
“KBTH patients are not getting oxygen. Since 9am,I am looking for oxygen for my patients, I can’t get even one. If I tell you the hell, I go through for my patients…hmmm. I get home very tired because of a maggot infested system,” one of the senior staff lamented.
She indicated that, “Since last week up to yesterday [Wednesday October 4], common Parazone to clean our wards, we don’t have, especially in Gynae, where we have a lot of female reproductive cancers and deaths.”
Another staff, who could not hide her frustration, told The Anchor, “Common giving sets and urethral catheter, a teaching hospital doesn’t have, since last week.”
The problems at Korle-Bu are also compounded by extreme legal tussles between the management and some senior staff, a situation which is deteriorating the progress march of the facility, the paper learnt.
The development is attributed to the poor leadership style of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, who, the workers claim, is not on top issues.
They cited the recent backdoor increment of the cost of dialysis treatment which, according to the CEO, was done without the knowledge of the management.
According to the workers, some of who have worked at Korle-Bu for more than 15years, nothing appears to be working under the current management, as those at the top are only interested in procurements and the awarding of juicy contracts to their cronies.
This paper has also gathered that, receipts for procedures performed for patients are allegedly paid into accounts of certain medical officers at some departments, while the Endoscopy unit is also said to be bleeding with massive rot.
These developments have left the nation’s premier hospital, which is projected to be the hub of quality healthcare in Ghana, engulfed with pure greed and parochial interests, leaving the facility to wobble.
Conflict of interest
This paper’s information is that, the Chief Executive Officer is still occupying his previous position, allegedly, as the Director of National Reconstructive Plastics Surgery and Burns Centre (NRPS&BC),in what many consider to be a case of conflict-of-interest.
Documents sighted by The Anchor revealed that the CEO appears to be the director of NRPS&BC.
A recent letter from the director, NRPS&BC, dated 5th September, 2023, with his signature attached and addressed to the Ag. Chief Executive Officer, KBTH, said he will go on an annual leave.
The letter, captioned “Administrative Arrangement,” reads: “I will be away on part annual leave from Wednesday, September 6, 2023 to Friday, September 15, 2023 and will resume on Monday, 18th September, 2023.”
It further said, “During my absence, Mr. Edem K. Anyigba, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, will be in administrative charge of the Centre. Please do accord him the requisite support and cooperation.”
The letter was distributed to heads of departments, including the director, Medical Affairs; Head of Dept., Surgery, as well as all Residents, Plastic Surgery.
More To Come
Source: Anchorghana.com
