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,”

Dr Baidoo also lamented over the inadequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) revealing that has resulted in many of his colleagues contracting the virus.

As at Tuesday, 16th June, 2020, Ghana had recorded 12,193 positive cases of the novel coronavirus with 4,326 recoveries and 58 deaths.