KATH Halts Surgeries Due to Severe Water Shortage Affecting Patient Care

Doctors at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi have made the difficult decision to suspend all surgical cases with immediate effect due to a severe water shortage that has affected the hospital since last week.

The Komfo Anokye Doctors Association (KADA) informed management in a memo on March 25, 2025, stating that the suspension was necessary to ensure patient safety and security.

The memo, issued by the hospital’s Orthopaedic and Emergency Directorate, explained that the lack of water had severely impacted the hospital’s ability to provide essential healthcare services.

Water is critical in maintaining hygiene, carrying out surgeries, and ensuring overall patient care, and the current shortage has reached a level that compromises these fundamental needs.

Dr. Michael Leat, Chairman of KADA, expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by this decision, but emphasized that patient safety was the top priority.

He assured the public that while new admissions for surgery would be suspended, medical staff would continue to manage existing patients to the best of their ability.

He also urged hospital management to take urgent action to resolve the water crisis.

In the meantime, KATH’s management has confirmed that the water supply from the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has been disrupted since last week, and despite efforts to secure alternative sources, they have proven inadequate due to the high volumes of water required daily.

The hospital has been receiving support from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), and the GWCL, but these supplies are still insufficient to meet the hospital’s operational needs.

The Public Relations Directorate of KATH has said they are in constant communication with the Regional Office of GWCL, urging them to expedite repairs and restore the water supply as soon as possible.