Korle-Bu ICU resumes operations; first surgery performed

The Intensive Care Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra has resumed operation of the facility which was closed for renovation a month ago, authorities say.

The first of a number of surgeries which were put on hold in view of the closure, was performed by experts Monday, 3FM's Sarah Parku reports.

Although a 12-bed capacity, the facility currently has only four beds due to inadequate specialist nurses to man them, authorities told our correspondent, noting that each bed requires nine nurses a day.

The Hospital authorities have selected a number of nurses from various departments who are being trained to augment the current 14 nurses while efforts are being put in place to get specialized nurses.

The facility was closed a month ago to allow for the renovation of the Unit and was scheduled to have opened to the public in March but that was delayed due to what authorities say was nonavailability of consumables to run the place.

Speaking to 3FM 92.7, Head of Anesthetics at the ICU Department, Dr Chris Owoo, said although there are not enough personnel for the facility, they could not wait longer in view of the backlog of cases.

He said they now have stocks of consumables that could last six months.