Doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital’s (KATH) Oncology Department abandoned their consulting rooms on Monday, June 24, due to a malfunctioning radiotherapy machine. The machine’s Water Phantom unit, used for measuring radiation doses, has been faulty since October 2023.
An anonymous doctor expressed frustration, stating that the component is crucial for radiation treatment. The Outpatient Department was filled with over a dozen patients, but only the Head of Department and one clinician were available to attend to them.
The rest of the doctors refused to work, leaving the patients stranded. A nurse at the Oncology Department confirmed the situation to Evans-Nkum, stating that only two medical staff were available to handle the large number of patients.
The CEO of KATH, Prof Addai-Mensah, acknowledged the issue in a phone conversation, stating that a letter of credit has been raised to fix the problem. He assured that the hospital administration has discussed the situation with the doctors and hopes they will understand the circumstances.
The radiotherapy machine’s malfunction has significantly impacted cancer treatment at the hospital. Patients and their families are worried about the delay in treatment, which may have severe consequences.
The hospital administration is working to resolve the issue as soon as possible to ensure the machine is repaired and treatment can resume. The situation highlights the challenges faced by healthcare providers in Ghana and the need for adequate resources and maintenance to ensure quality care.
