The first doctor involved has already undergone a month-long suspension without pay, during which time they were barred from carrying out any medical duties within the hospital. This period of suspension allowed the hospital administration to thoroughly investigate the allegations and gather evidence regarding the misconduct.
The second doctor’s suspension will commence today, following the completion of the investigation and disciplinary proceedings. This doctor, too, will face a one-month suspension without pay as a consequence of their involvement in the extortion scheme.
Yesterday, during a formal visit to the palace of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in Manhyia, Kumasi, Professor Otchere Yaw Addai-Mensah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KATH, shared some important information. The purpose of the visit was to introduce himself and the hospital’s management team to the Asantehene, as Professor Addai-Mensah had assumed his position six months prior.
meeting , Professor Addai-Mensah expressed his commitment to instilling discipline within the hospital’s work culture. He emphasized that, upon taking over as CEO, one of his primary objectives was to cultivate a sense of discipline among the staff.
According to the CEO of KATH, it came to his attention that certain clinics within the hospital were consistently starting their operations late, resulting in extended waiting times for patients.
To address this issue, the CEO, in collaboration with the Board of Directors, implemented measures to rectify the situation. As a result, all clinics now commence their work promptly at 8 a.m., ensuring a more efficient and timely service for patients.
Furthermore, in order to maintain effective supervision during holidays and weekends, the hospital has devised a roster system for directors. This ensures that there are always two directors present on duty every weekend and on statutory holidays. This arrangement guarantees a smooth workflow and adequate supervision, contributing to the seamless functioning of the hospital even during these periods.
The CEO also mentioned that during his six-month tenure, he successfully secured sponsorships to renovate the residential flats for doctors and nurses at KATH. Additionally, he implemented the Point of Sales (POS) and Mobile Money (MoMo) payment systems, making it convenient for patients and their families to settle medical bills.
However, Professor Addai-Mensah informed the Asantehene that progress on two crucial projects, namely the Maternal and Baby Unit and the Sickle Cell and Blood Transfusion Centre, sponsored by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), had halted. He expressed concern that no work had been carried out on these projects for approximately a year and sought the intervention of the Asantehene to ensure their completion.
Furthermore, the CEO highlighted another challenge faced by KATH, which was obtaining funding to acquire adjacent military land for expansion purposes. This acquisition would enable the hospital to meet the growing healthcare demands of the community more effectively.
Despite the military’s agreement to vacate the land and transfer it to the hospital, Prof. Addai-Mensah highlighted the requirement for funds to facilitate the relocation of the military facilities to a new site, emphasizing that the associated costs were significant.
However, in response to this concern, Otumfuo Osei Tutu provided clarification, stating that the military had already been successfully relocated, relieving the hospital from any obligation to make additional payments for the land.
The Asantehene reassured Prof. Addai-Mensah that the matter had been extensively discussed with both the President and the Minister of Defence. He conveyed that the issue had been definitively resolved, assuring the CEO, “the matter has already been sorted out, and there is no need for you to pay any money for the land.”
Otumfuo Osei Tutu stated that if there was a need for any financial resources, such as for constructing new schools, that matter should be handled by the Ministry of Defence.
The Asantehene expressed his appreciation for the new CEO’s promising start and encouraged him to continue in the same positive direction.
Although Otumfuo mentioned that he had not yet personally visited the facility, he had heard about the remarkable transformation that had taken place and commended Prof. Addai-Mensah for this achievement.
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The Asantehene acknowledged that regardless of one’s actions, there will always be people who are unhappy or offended. He encouraged the CEO, saying, “If you have to displease two individuals to satisfy eight others, go ahead and do it.”
Accompanying the CEO were Nana Effah Appenten, the Chairman of the Board, all board members, the Bompatahene, Maxwell Opoku Agyemang, Charles Dontoh, and Prof. Daniel Ansong, the Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry.
