Surgeon physicians at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, have postponed all surgeries until further notice due to a severe water shortage that has paralyzed operations at the hospital.
The administration of the hospital says the water issue has been persistent since last week, making surgical operations unsafe and affecting critical health services significantly. To the crisis, the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association released a memo on March 25, mandating the management to adhere to the suspension in the spirit of patient safety and health.
The memo cited water as crucial to maintaining hygiene, surgery, and quality patient care. Without water, however, these critical functions have been smudged, compelling doctors to temporarily suspend surgical cases. This is to officially inform the management that the Orthopedic and Emergency Directorate has resolved to temporarily defer the admission of new patients pending restoration of the water supply," the statement concluded. Even while efforts are made to contain the crisis, the memo noted the situation is already critical with drastic implications on patient safety and delivery of healthcare.
Association Chairman Dr. Michael Leat averred that physicians were dedicated to dealing with cases at hand and decried the interruption created by suspension. The association further insisted that the hospital management seek alternative sources of water and issue frequent reports on the progress in ending the crisis.
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