Story By: Akua Oteng Amponsah
A doctor at Ghana’s Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has died after suffering a heart attack, sparking concerns over the lack of a catheterization laboratory at the facility.
Dr. Kwame Adu Ofori, an Emergency Physician at KATH, died on his way to Accra for treatment after his colleagues attempted to stabilize him. The hospital lacks a catheterization laboratory, a specialized area to perform minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat heart conditions.
“We arranged for a military airlift to transport him immediately to Accra for him to be properly attended to,” said KATH CEO Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo. “We arranged a team of doctors and special care nurses for him. They were in touch when they got to Accra but he unfortunately died on their way to the hospital.”
The absence of the laboratory has sparked concerns over the poor medical infrastructure in public health facilities in Ghana. The hospital has been calling for the construction of a Cath Lab for years, but to no avail.
“I made a plea to them to help us construct a CATH lab,” Dr. Baidoo said. “They’ve asked that we submit a proposal to be sent to the Governor.”
The hospital’s management says the Minister of Health has been informed of the incident and has assured them of the construction of the facility not only in Kumasi but also in Tamale and another in Accra.
The incident has ignited concerns amongst workers at the hospital on the inadequate medical infrastructure. Dr. Baidoo noted that the hospital needs urgent retooling to improve quality healthcare delivery.
“The sterilization facility at the hospital is also defunct. We need a comprehensive retooling of the hospital,” he added.
Health professionals at the hospital anticipate an immediate construction and completion of the specialized laboratory to end the numerous avoidable cardiac deaths.
