Asking patients to go home and die isn't an option - Minister to Korle Bu board members

The Minister for Health, Kweku Agyemang Manu has told a new 11 member board of Directors for the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to either improvise or come out with innovative ways of solving the ‘no bed syndrome’ that has hit the healthcare facility.

"Korle Bu has been in the news in recent times for not very good reasons but when you find yourself in crisis that is when you think best so with you here, I expect that you solve whatever challenges that may be facing the facility here, it’s either you improvise or manage the little resources that we have very efficiently to achieve the highest value,” he said.

According to him, the 70-year-old man, Prince Anthony Opoku Acheampong died after visiting 7 different hospitals but Ghanaians are speaking mainly about Korle Bu and that underpins the premium Ghanaians put on the facility.

He said Korle Bu stands unique in the minds of Ghanaians and that the facility has been a referral facility from time immemorial but it appears in recent times that the efficiency of the hospital has reduced considerably.

“You seem to have compromised as an institution such that the facility sees people even without a referral note and as new members, I urge you to look into it,” he said.

According to him, many Ghanaians have the perception that if you’re referred to Korle Bu and you do not get well then that means the ailment was meant to kill you and that underscores the quality of the facility

Mr. Agyemang-Manu told the members to see the appointment as an opportunity to serve the country.

“There are 10 million Ghanaians who could have been appointed to be here in your seats, your appointment should tell you that the president has seen something in you that will inure to the benefit of all Ghanaians, so give out your best and let us produce good value from this facility to the benefits of our people,” he said.

The minister was speaking at the inauguration of an 11-member board of directors for the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra on Friday, July 13.

On his part, the presidential nominee for the board, Dr. Bernard Oko Boye said, it is in crisis one is able to bring out the best, he assured his total commitment to betterment the facility.

“I assure my total commitment to the course of working to bring this hospital to the place we want to have, I am committed to using my experience, my energy and most importantly my optimism that no matter how unpalatable it may be the team will work to chase the agenda and achieve the vision and mission of this hospital,” he said.

According to him, it is only when people have faith in a hospital that they will patronize its health services even when the place is congested and so he and the board will work tirelessly to justify the premium Ghanaians place on the hospital.

“We will make sure that when the news come, it is one that we are all proud of not one which sends shivers down our spine,” he said.

BELOW ARE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

1. Dr. Bernard Oko Boye ( Board Chairman) - President Norminee

2. Chief Administrator - Pending

3. Prof. Margaret Lartey - Dean of Relevant Medical School

4. Dr. Samuel Asiamah( AG.CEO) - Medical Director

5. Mr. Nuru-deen Mohammed - Director Administration

6. Rita Esi Aryee - Director Nursing Services

7. Mr. Bright Kwame Korkoryie - Director Finance

8. Mrs Elizabeth Bruce - Director Pharmacy

9. Radha Maria Odua Hackman - President Norminee

10. Jerry Ahmed Shaib - President Norminee

11. Dr. Patrina Tekyi- Ankrah - President Norminee