The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi has temporarily suspended the admission of new cases at its Accident and Emergency (A&E) Centre following a fresh wave of congestion at the facility.
In a statement issued by the hospital’s Public Affairs Unit, management explained that the A&E Centre was currently full and overflowing with patients, making it impossible to admit additional emergency cases for the next 24 hours.
According to the Head of the Public Affairs Unit, Kwame Frimpong, the situation at the emergency centre has become critical, with the number of patients far exceeding the facility’s intended capacity.
He disclosed that the A&E Centre, originally designed as a 37-bed facility, is currently handling 61 admitted patients across its Orange, Yellow, and Red critical wards, while an additional 34 patients remain in queue awaiting medical attention.
Mr. Frimpong stated that management decided to temporarily halt new admissions in order to prevent further pressure on healthcare personnel and ensure that critically ill patients currently at the centre receive the needed medical care.
He explained that the temporary suspension would allow medical staff to clear the backlog of cases within the next 24 hours before the hospital resumes new admissions.
“The current situation is being periodically reviewed as our emergency physician specialists and other medical staff are doing their best to manage the surge in cases at the A&E Centre and new admissions will be allowed as soon as things get under control,” portions of the statement read.
The hospital has consequently advised the public to seek medical attention at peripheral and satellite hospitals within the Ashanti Region until conditions at the A&E Centre improve.
Management further revealed that discussions are ongoing with the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate to strengthen healthcare delivery at satellite hospitals in the region to help reduce pressure on KATH.
Despite the temporary suspension, the hospital assured the public that its neonatal, paediatric, and obstetric emergency services remain fully operational and have not been affected by the current situation.
KATH, which serves as a major referral centre for 12 out of Ghana’s 16 administrative regions, has in recent years faced increasing congestion due to the growing number of referrals from across the country.
