Doctors at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Halts Surgeries Due to Severe Water Shortage

Kumasi, Ghana - 27 March, 2025 - A critical water shortage has prompted doctors at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi to suspend all surgical procedures effective immediately, prioritizing patient safety and security.

This move, outlined in a memo dated March 25, 2025.

According to the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association, the hospital's management has been formally notified of the suspension, which will remain in place until the water shortage is resolved.

"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 the availability of water is restored."

"Despite efforts to manage the situation, the current lack of water has reached a critical point, compromising both patient safety and healthcare delivery'', portions of the memo read.

The association's chairman, Dr. Michael Leat, has apologized for the inconvenience caused and urged hospital management to address the crisis urgently.

"We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and kindly request management’s urgent intervention to address the water crisis. The directorates will continue to manage existing patients to the best of our ability, while prioritizing safety and hygiene," he said.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Water Company Limited has attributed the water shortage to a service disruption that occurred last week.

The Hospital's management in a statement assured that they are currently relying on alternative sources, but these measures have proven inadequate to meet the hospital's operational needs.

“We are at the moment depending on alternative sources which have proven inadequate due to the huge volumes of water required for our operations on daily basis.

“At the moment, apart from KATH own sources, the GNFS, KMA and the GWCL are pitching in with alternative supplies but they are not enough to meet our operational needs. We are in constant touch with the Regional office of the GWCL to expedite the repair works which occasioned the cessation of water supply to the hospital,” said the Public Relations Directorate of the hospital.

Source: Lead News Online