KATH establishes R&D Unit

Kumasi, May 12, GNA - Authorities of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi have set up a Research and Development Unit to encourage and co-ordinate research at the hospital.

They have also made available 490 million cedis this year to support research by members of staff of the hospital.

Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, the Chief Executive of the hospital, said the objective of the initiatives was to help create and nurture an enduring research culture at the hospital.

This will enhance the capacity of staff to device effective local solutions to local health problems through evidence-based care. He was speaking at the second graduation of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) Diploma in Project Design and Management (DPDM) programme in Kumasi on Friday.

The programme, which was instituted three years ago by KATH in collaboration with LSTM and the School of Medical Sciences (SMS) of KNUST, aims at providing health professionals with the requisite competence and experience to initiate, design and conduct research into common local health problems.

It is a one-year diploma multi-disciplinary intensive research programme, designed to strengthen and improve research. Among some of the research topics were the review of the Ashanti Regional Civil Servants Medical Scheme, utilization of theatres, pre-terms deliveries and risk factors, neo natal sepsis and disposal of sharp needles.

Dr Nsiah-Asare said the hospital had also struck another research collaboration with the University of Utah School of Medicine, SMS of KNUST and the Atwima-Nwabiagya District Assembly to implement a community based child health research project at Barekuma and two other communities in the district.

He expressed gratitude to the LSTM for its support to the programme. Dr Imelda Bates of LSTM pledged the continued support of the university to the programme and commended the graduates for their hard work.