By Josephine Kekeli
Surgical doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, have suspended all surgical procedures indefinitely due to a severe water shortage that has disrupted operations at the facility.
Hospital authorities report that the water supply issue has persisted since last week, making surgical procedures unsafe and significantly affecting essential healthcare services.
In response to the crisis, the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association issued a memo on March 25, instructing management to comply with the suspension to safeguard patient safety and well-being.
The memo emphasized the critical role of water in maintaining hygiene, performing surgeries, and ensuring proper patient care. However, the ongoing shortage has compromised these essential functions, leaving doctors with no choice but to halt surgical cases temporarily.
“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 ongoing efforts to manage the crisis, the memo highlighted that the situation has reached a critical level, posing serious risks to patient safety and healthcare delivery.
Dr. Michael Leat, Chairman of the Association, assured that doctors remain committed to attending to existing cases and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the suspension.
The association also urged hospital management to explore alternative water supply solutions and provide regular updates on efforts to resolve the crisis.
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