- KATH suspends surgeries due to a severe water shortage
- The water shortage has lasted since last week, affecting healthcare services
- A memo issued on March 25 stresses the importance of patient safety
Surgical doctors at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, have suspended all surgical procedures due to a severe water shortage at the facility.
Hospital authorities report that the water supply issue has been ongoing since last week, making it unsafe to perform surgeries and significantly disrupting essential healthcare services.
The Komfo Anokye Doctors Association issued a memo on March 25, directing hospital management to comply with the suspension for the safety and well-being of patients.
The memo highlighted that water is crucial for hygiene, surgical procedures, and overall patient care, but the shortage has compromised these critical functions, forcing the temporary halt of surgeries. “This memo serves to inform management of the decision by the Orthopaedic and Emergency Directorate to suspend new patient admissions until the water supply is restored,” the memo stated.
The memo further acknowledged that despite efforts to manage the crisis, the water shortage has reached a critical level, impacting patient safety and healthcare delivery.
Dr. Michael Leat, Chairman of the Association, expressed their commitment to caring for existing patients and apologized for the inconvenience caused by the suspension. The association also urged hospital management to explore alternative water sources and keep the public informed with regular updates on the situation.
