KATH Halts Surgeries Amid Acute Water Crisis—Patients Left in Limbo
Severe water shortage forces Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital to suspend all surgical procedures, raising concerns over patient safety and healthcare delivery.
- Doctors at KATH halt all surgeries due to a severe water shortage
- Lack of water compromises hygiene and medical procedures.
- Doctors urge management to find alternative water sources
The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi has suspended all surgical procedures due to a severe water shortage that has crippled essential medical services.
Hospital authorities report that the crisis, which began last week, has made surgical operations unsafe, disrupting healthcare delivery. In response, the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association issued a memo on March 25, directing management to enforce the suspension in the interest of patient safety.
The memo stressed that water is vital for hygiene, surgical procedures, and overall patient care. However, the worsening shortage has made it impossible to maintain these standards, forcing a temporary halt to new surgical admissions.
“This memo is to formally inform management of the decision taken by the Orthopaedic and Emergency Directorate to temporarily halt the admission of new patients until water supply is restored,” the directive stated.
Despite efforts to manage the situation, the crisis has reached a critical level, raising concerns about patient safety. Dr. Michael Leat, Chairman of the Doctors Association, assured that existing cases will be attended to while apologizing for the inconvenience.
The association has urged hospital management to urgently explore alternative water sources and provide regular updates on the crisis.
