The Minority in Parliament has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the government, demanding the immediate repair of the malfunctioning lift in the Surgery Department of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ranking Member of the Health Committee, made the demand during a surprise visit to the hospital on Monday, September 2, 2024.
The visit followed reports from late August indicating that Korle-Bu had indefinitely suspended all selective surgeries due to faulty lifts.
“Unfortunately, the lifts are still not operational. The information we’ve gathered suggests that some of these lifts have been out of service for the past four to five years. It is inconceivable that a major teaching hospital like Korle-Bu would neglect its responsibility to maintain such essential equipment,” Hon. Akandoh told Journalists after visiting the facility.
He expressed frustration over the lack of routine maintenance, which has led to the suspension of critical medical procedures.
“We cannot accept the indefinite suspension of selective surgeries. This is a matter of life and death for many Ghanaians who depend on this facility for essential healthcare,” he said.
Hon. Akandoh urged the Minister of Health and relevant authorities to address the situation immediately, stating, “This is not rocket science. The government must provide a clear timeline within the next 24 hours for when these lifts will be repaired.”
In response to an attempt by the Public Relation Officer and other staff of the Surgery Department to prevent him from inspecting the defective lift with the Media present, Hon. Akandoh dismissed the behaviour, emphasizing that the priority should be on restoring the hospital’s operations.
“Ghanaians want to see the lifts fixed and the hospital uplifted from this deplorable state, that is what matters,” he said.
The ultimatum underscores the urgency of the situation, as the indefinite suspension of surgeries poses a significant threat to public health.
The Minority is calling for swift action to restore full functionality to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
Credit: Felix Nyaaba
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