Surgical doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi have suspended all surgical procedures due to a severe water shortage at the facility.
Hospital authorities report that the water supply issue has persisted since last week, rendering surgical operations unsafe and disrupting essential healthcare services.
To formalize the decision, the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association issued a memo on March 25, directing hospital management to uphold the suspension in the interest of patient safety and well-being.
The memo highlighted the critical role of water in maintaining hygiene, performing surgeries, and ensuring quality patient care. However, the ongoing shortage has severely compromised these functions, necessitating the temporary halt of surgical procedures.
“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 statement read.
Despite efforts to manage the situation, the crisis has reached a critical level, significantly affecting healthcare delivery. Dr. Michael Leat, Chairman of the Association, reassured patients that doctors remain committed to attending to existing cases while apologizing for the inconvenience caused by the suspension.
The association also urged hospital management to explore alternative water supply solutions and provide regular updates to help resolve the crisis.
