The Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Professor Dr. Otchere Addai Mensah, has disclosed that the hospital has been operating without a mammogram machine for the past 18 years.
This critical piece of equipment, used to detect breast cancer at its earliest stages, has been absent from one of Ghana’s leading healthcare facilities, raising serious concerns about the state of healthcare delivery in the country.
Speaking in an interview with Kojo Marfo on Abusua Nkommo at Abusua965FM, Professor Addai Mensah painted a grim picture of the hospital’s resource challenges.
“For 18 years, Komfo Anokye has not had a mammogram machine—the machine used to check for breast cancer in women,” he said.
He then added “Breast cancer is staged from one to four, with earlier detection offering better treatment outcomes. Unfortunately, about 70% of our breast cancer cases are diagnosed at stages three and four, when treatment becomes far more difficult and outcomes are dire.”
The absence of a mammogram machine is just one part of a larger issue. Professor Addai Mensah highlighted several other critical equipment shortages and infrastructure problems plaguing the hospital.
“Our oxygen plant is deteriorating, and we urgently need a new one,” he explained. “The CT scan machine at the Accident and Emergency Department breaks down frequently, delaying care for patients in critical condition.
The MRI machine, which was purchased 12 years ago possibly not even brand new has its own challenges”, he emphasized.
He also pointed out issues with autoclave machines, which are used to sterilize surgical instruments.
“These are essential for conducting operations, yet they are not functioning properly,” he said. “So when you ask me what we need most, it’s hard to say because the list is endless.”
Professor Addai Mensah did not shy away from addressing the root of these challenges: inadequate government support.
He emphasized that retooling a major hospital like KATH is fundamentally the responsibility of the government.
However, due to insufficient funding, the hospital has been forced to divert its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) which are meant for consumables like medications and supplies to purchase equipment that should be provided by the state.
“We’ve had to spend money meant for consumables on things that are supposed to be the government’s responsibility,” he lamented.
Despite these obstacles, KATH has managed to make some progress through its IGF.
“The hospital recently purchased nine new dialysis machines at a cost of GHC 500,000 each, along with six months’ worth of consumables. Additionally, six anesthesia machines were acquired at GHC 400,000 each following renovations to the main theater”, Prof Addai Mensah stressed.
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