Members of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Board and Management has cut the sod for the construction of a four-storey pharmaceutical complex at the hospital.

The pharmaceutical complex, according to the CEO is the first of its kind in the almost 70-year history of the hospital.

Addressing participants at the ground-breaking ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of KATH, Professor Otchere Addai-Mensah said the construction was very significant as the project estimated at 43 million Ghana Cedis, (Ghc43m), equivalent to $2.4m, signified a transformative step in the delivery of specialist pharmaceutical services and healthcare in Ashanti and beyond.

“This is a project that is going to solve the age-old problem of lack of adequate and centralized space for the management of pharmaceutical products and services and as the Chief Executive Officer of this institution, I am exceedingly glad that you have all managed to join us on this happy occasion”, the CEO stated.

Internally Generated Fund Project:
The CEO disclosed that the project was being funded entirely from the Internally Generated Funds of the hospital.

He noted these funds were derived from its pharmaceutical operations, adding that it was a major turnaround in the state of pharmaceutical services at the hospital which some year back was in deficit.

The CEO commended the immediate past and current Boards, both chaired by Amb. Nana Effah-Apenteng for instituting far reaching interventions that have helped to revitalise pharmaceutical service and operations at the hospital.

“The efforts of the current and previous boards has led to the development of the requisite financial muscle by the hospital to undertake this massive project which is expected to be executed in three phases”, Prof Addai-Mensah stressed.

Details

Giving details of the project, the CEO noted that the phase one has been designed to ensure that it can be used for the delivery of pharmaceutical services even before the other two phases are completed.

He further revealed that the first phase will cover the completion of sub-structure and the framed structure for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors including roofing.

He added that to be completed under this phase to allow for use is the ground floor which will have storage areas, compounding unit, packing and raw materials room and loading and offloading bays.

Other such as changing/quarantine rooms, washrooms, lift well/duct and external works including driveway and drains would also be completed under this phase.

Prof Addai-Mensah said the idea is to make the building useful right from the first phase.

Determination:

The CEO stressed that the project was a testament to the collective determination of management to meet the challenges in healthcare delivery.

He admitted to the immense role of pharmaceutical services in the continuum of specialist care and with the completion of the complex.

The CEO stated that there would be a centralized space for the management of pharmaceutical products to enhance efficiency and other ancillary facilities for the provision of quality healthcare.

“Management, Board and I are profoundly honoured to witness this occasion as it reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in the provision of integrated specialist healthcare services in this part of the country and beyond”, the CEO intimated.

Board Chairman:

Breaking the ground in a symbolic fashion, Board Chairman Ambassador Nana Effah-Appenteng asked workers on the facility to be diligent to work so as to deliver the project to Management for use on time.

He commended the CEO and management for striving to get the project on stream.

Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.