KATH struggles to pay GHC1 million import duty on crucial cancer treatment equipment

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) is struggling to pay a one million Ghana Cedi (GH¢1M) import duty on a water phantom, a crucial piece of equipment for its Oncology Department.

The equipment is essential for calibrating and properly functioning the hospital’s linear accelerator system, which is vital for treating cancer patients. The delay in restoring this system has already led to a strike by doctors in the Oncology Unit, who are protesting the impact of this delay on their ability to provide life-saving care.

KATH CEO Prof Otchere Addai-Mensah speaking on the sidelines of the hospital’s mid-year performance review says management is seeking government intervention emphasising that a waiver would greatly assist the hospital in quickly restoring the machine for cancer treatment.

“You would recall that our oncology doctors went on strike, and it was based on the fact that our LINAC machine wasn’t repaired. We’re paying around US$210,000 for the repair. Immediately after we fixed that, there was a problem with the water phantom that was required to calibrate the radiotherapy doses”, ” Professor Addai-Mensah explained.

“We have paid for that, and the equipment is in-house, but we are having to battle with about GHC1 million by way of duty. We have written for an exemption. Dr Nsiah Asare, the presidential advisor on health and the Ministry of Finance are working very hard at it, and I hope the water phantom will be brought to Kumasi and then our oncology patients who need radiotherapy will be able to receive them,” he noted.

Surge in dialysis services

The KATH CEO also revealed that the facility has experienced a dramatic increase in the demand for dialysis services, with sessions rising from 80 per month to 300. This significant surge is largely attributed to a new government policy that offers free dialysis sessions to patients within a certain age bracket.

He noted that while the hospital has made strides by purchasing three new dialysis machines and plans to acquire six more, the rapid increase in demand is putting immense pressure on the existing equipment.

“We’ve seen the number of dialysis sessions jump from 80 to 300 per month. This increased demand is taking a toll on the few machines we have,” Prof. Addai-Mensah explained.

“The challenge however that we have refurbished the dialysis center, the place is empty, and we need a maximum of about 25 dialysis machines to complement it. The need for more dialysis machines has become dire and it is so because of a very good policy rolled out by the government,” he added.

Successes

Despite these challenges, the hospital has recorded over 150% leap in internally generated revenue in the past six months. Every week, the health facility generates between GHC2.9 million and GHC3.2 million from the previous GHC1.2 million.

The chief executive officer of KATH said, “The revenue base of the hospital has improved since I came in. If we spend GHC42, 000 or GHC45, 000 to feed them occasionally, though it is not much they appreciate it”.

In the period under review, the management of the hospital touted significant progress consisting mainly of infrastructure development funded through its internally generated funds.

Already, GHC2.6 million has been spent on the renovation of the hospital’s Physiotherapy Centre and the Laundry Unit. Renovation works at the main theatre as well as the establishment of a new 24-hour laboratory at the Family Medicine block and the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Centre are in advanced stages of completion.

Despite the heavy investment in infrastructure upgrade, Prof. Addai-Mensah says the hospital is in good financial standing.

An annual average of 360 thousand patients report to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

In the past six months, specialist O.P.D. cases recorded 133,480 attendees as against a target of 130,274 with laboratory and radiology services registering 134,543 and 33,797 as against the targets of 100,842 and 31,910 respectively.

Prof. Addai-Mensah explains service delivery has also improved.

“The attitude of some workers, doctors and nurses have improved because when wrongdoings are brought to management punitive measures are taken so that these things are not associated with us as a hospital”, he added.

Heal KATH project

The hospital is making significant strides in its modernization efforts, thanks to the Asantehene’s KATH Renovation Project. For the first time since its construction in 1954, the comprehensive renovation and modernization of the old GEE blocks have begun, with the project already realising nearly 40% of its US$10 million target.

This ambitious initiative, known as the Heal Komfo Anokye Project (HeKAP), aims to transform Wards “A3,” “A4,” and “A5” at “A” block, enhancing the quality of inpatient services at the hospital.

KATH CEO, Prof. Otchere Addai-Mensah, expressed profound gratitude to the Asantehene for his leadership in spearheading the project.

“On behalf of the Board, management, staff, and patients of the hospital, I wish to convey our heartfelt appreciation to the Asantehene for his exemplary leadership in initiating this project,” Prof. Addai-Mensah remarked. He also extended thanks to Justmoh Constructions Limited and Joshob Construction Limited, the lead sponsors, along with other partners and individuals for their invaluable contributions.

The project’s success has not gone unnoticed, earning international recognition as the “Transformative Health Procurement Project of the Year” at the 6th Africa Procurement and Supply Chain Awards. Prof. Addai-Mensah highlighted the hospital’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

“The periodic detailed publication of all donations in newspapers and on the HeKAP website is a testament to our commitment”, he stated.

Reporting By Jonathan Ofori, Asaase Newsroom, Kumasi

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