Coronavirus: ‘No bed syndrome’ hits Komfo Anokye, Kumasi South Hospital as cases increase
The Ashanti Regional Health Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang at a news conference Today, June 17, 2020 has revealed the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Kumasi South Hospital have both run out of beds for COVID-19 patients.
“Almost all the treatment centres are now full, Komfo Anokye has 18 beds but currently all are occupied, Kumasi South Hospital has 20 beds with the same situation. So we have a total of 38 beds but all are full, so what we have to do is expand the number of beds for the treatment centres” – he told the press
He said they are putting plans together to acquire more beds to enable them to treat the numerous people who contract the deadly virus.
“We are going to expand Kumasi South from 20 to 41 beds as at now we have been given another ward, work is ongoing. We have so far taken delivery of some 7 beds to add to what we have at Kumasi South. One other doctor wants to give us his facility, when that is done we are hoping to add another 100 beds”
GMA warns KATH of the danger in keeping COVID-19 patients at main wards
The Ashanti Regional President of the GMA, Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo has cautioned the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) over its decision to treat COVID-19 patients at its main wards describing it as dangerous.
The hospital which is the second-largest referral facility in the country admits COVID-19 patients but keeps them at its main wards due to inadequate space.
Dr Baidoo who was speaking on Luv FM in the Ashanti Region disclosed the hospital had started admitting COVID-19 patients at the Accident and Emergency Unit, and that should not be the case.
He fears the situation could result in an increase in positive cases and without an adequate facility to cater for them, patients who are already receiving treatment for separate conditions, could get infected and lose their lives.
“The situation is really bad. If you look at the statistics from the Ghana Health Service, you will realize that most of the deaths are from here.
“Previously we used to have the holding area [at the Accident and Emergency Unit] and those who come back confirmed are transferred to another part of the hospital, but now there is a spill over. Patients who have tested positive are being kept on the Emergency Wards,”
