The management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has expressed its gratitude to the Ministry of Finance for its decision to absorb the cost of clearing the 10 containers of tiles imported for renovation of the hospital.
A management source in an interview with EIB’s Ashanti regional Correspondent Isaac Justice Bediako in Kumasi indicated that the Ministry has been in touch with the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to confirm its readiness to absorb the cost estimated at over 1.8 million Ghana Cedis.
“This intervention by the Ministry has come as a huge relief to the hospital and the leadership of the Heal Komfo Anokye Project (HeKAP) team given the huge adverse impact the payment was going to have on the successful execution of the project”, the source noted.
The 10 million United States Dollar project was initiated by the Asantehene to comprehensively renovate and modernize the hospital’s old blocks constructed in 1954 as part of the legacy projects being executed to mark the 25th anniversary of his enstoolment.
The source explained that as part of a strategy to keep the project cost within budget and use only world- class durable hospital grade materials for the renovations that would stand the test of time, a decision was taken by the project implementation team to import the key materials needed for the renovation works directly from the manufacturers.
“The hospital was expected to apply for waivers to clear the materials as and when they arrive in the country but unfortunately the first consignment of 10 containers could not benefit from this arrangement hence the intervention by the Ministry of Finance”, it added.
The source said as the facility is the most frequented by the National Ambulance Service in the country, the hospital has been under enormous pressure for years as it routinely receives referrals from 12 out of the 16 regions in Ghana.
It, therefore, called for the continuous support of all stakeholders to ensure that the project was successfully executed to enhance specialist healthcare delivery in the country.
Source: Kasapafmonline.com/Isaac Justice Bediako
