Otumfuo launches $10m fundraising drive to renovate KATH

In a bid to restore the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to its former glory, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has officially launched a $10 million fundraising campaign.

This ambitious initiative, part of the Asantehene’s legacy projects, is intended to comprehensively renovate the 70-year-old facility, marking a significant milestone as he celebrates 25 years since ascending the golden stool.

As the revered Overlord of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo expressed deep concern about the deteriorating state of KATH, emphasizing its role as the sole tertiary health facility in the Kingdom.

He pointed out that, despite being located in the Ashanti Region, KATH serves patients from 12 regions across the country, making its maintenance a collective responsibility for all citizens.

Having personally visited the facility incognito, Otumfuo revealed that the level of deterioration exceeded the management’s capacity.

“The current state of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is terrible, and we must all join the campaign to restore it to its glorious past,” he passionately appealed during the launch event.

The Asantehene called upon every household in the Asante Kingdom to contribute a minimum of GH₵100 to the initiative.

Furthermore, he tasked Members of Parliament (MPs) in the region to lead the campaign in their respective constituencies.

Noting the historical significance of the hospital’s name, Otumfuo emphasized, “Okomfo Anokye, whom the facility was named after, never felt sick, so it is unacceptable to allow the hospital to get sick in our time.”

Underscoring the project’s significance to the health of the people of Asanteman, Otumfuo urged corporate bodies, philanthropists, and public-spirited individuals to contribute generously to the fundraising efforts.

Prof. Otchere Addai-Mensah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KATH, detailed the dire condition of the hospital resulting from years of persistent overutilization and wear and tear.

He highlighted issues with plumbing, electrical wirings, windows, roofing, and other ancillary facilities, noting that limited resources had prevented major renovations for almost 70 years.

Expressing concern over the potential catastrophic failure of the old Gee block, Prof. Addai-Mensah commended Otumfuo for leading the fundraising efforts, calling it a refreshing and relieving development.

The launch event witnessed numerous pledges from invited guests, including MPs, business executives, corporate bodies, and individuals, with contributions running into millions of Ghana Cedis.

The fundraising drive represents a collective effort to rejuvenate KATH, ensuring its continued role as a vital healthcare institution serving not only the Ashanti Region but patients from across Ghana.

The Asantehene’s leadership in this endeavor reflects his commitment to the well-being of the people and the enduring legacy of the Asante Kingdom.

History

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), nestled in the vibrant city of Kumasi, stands as a beacon of healthcare excellence in the Ashanti region. With a total population of 5,432,485 (according to the national population census of 2021), the 1,200-bed hospital serves as a vital medical center accessible to all fifteen regions of Ghana, especially those sharing boundaries with the Ashanti region.

KATH’s strategic geographical location and the well-developed road network make it a central hub for healthcare services.

The hospital receives referrals from 13 out of the 16 regions in the country, including Upper East, Upper West, Savannah, North East, Northern, Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo, Bono East, Central, Western, Western North, and Eastern regions.

The hospital’s rich history dates back to the 1940s when a hospital on the hill overlooking the historic Bantama township in Kumasi had separate sections designated for Africans and Europeans.

The need for a new hospital to accommodate the growing population led to the establishment of the Komfo Anokye Hospital in 1954, replacing the European Hospital.

Named in honor of the legendary fetish Okomfo Anokye, known for his spiritual prowess and contributions to the strength and unity of the Ashanti Kingdom, the hospital later attained teaching hospital status in 1975.

It played a crucial role in clinical training for medical students following the establishment of the School of Medical Sciences (now School of Medicine and Dentistry, SMD) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.

Currently boasting thirteen clinical directorates and two non-clinical support services directorates, KATH has become a major center for training postgraduate medical and dental practitioners in various specialties.

The hospital also contributes significantly to the education of undergraduate personnel in Pharmacy, Nursing, and various Allied Health Professions.

KATH has established itself as a leading center for medical and allied health student training, garnering multiple accreditations for both undergraduate and postgraduate health professional training in West Africa.

Accredited by bodies such as the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, the West African College of Physicians (WACP), and West African College of Surgeons (WACS), KATH has become a beacon of medical education in the region.

The hospital’s commitment to research is evident through numerous published works in renowned national and international journals, covering various health and health-related areas.

Currently, the hospital employs about 4,000 professionals with diverse backgrounds, providing quality clinical and non-clinical care and training to the people of Ghana and beyond.

In pursuit of its vision, the Board and Management of KATH aim to position the hospital as a true medical center of excellence in the West African sub-region.

This involves providing clients with safe and caring services in an environment that embodies the typical and proverbial Ghanaian hospitality.

To achieve this objective, KATH’s management expresses a commitment to forming strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations.

This continuous drive to upgrade and improve the hospital’s operational capacity is a testament to KATH’s dedication to meeting and exceeding the expectations of its clients.

With a registered 40,000 in-patients and 380,000 OPD cases annually, KATH continues to play a pivotal role in the healthcare landscape, striving for excellence in every aspect of its operations.

Source:zedmultimedia