Kumasi: The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Ghana's second-largest referral facility, is intensifying its focus on research to enhance evidence-based clinical outcomes and improve tertiary healthcare services.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, Chief Executive Officer of KATH, announced that the hospital has allocated GHS100,000 annually for operational research to bolster scientific inquiry and innovation in patient care. He made these remarks at the hospital's 2025 End-of-Year Performance Review Conference held in Kumasi, themed 'KATH @70: Advancing Tertiary Health Care on the Pillars of Research, Customer-Centric Care and Clinical Mentorship.'
Dr. Baidoo highlighted the hospital's dedication to research-driven, patient-centered care, supported by continuous capacity building and collaboration with other health institutions. Despite challenges such as industrial actions by nurses, the hospital has made notable progress in multiple areas.
Key infrastructure developments include the construction of a cutting-edge international catheterisation and cardiac centre, aimed at enhancing KATH's capability to offer advanced cardiac diagnostic and interventional services, solidifying its status as a premier specialist healthcare provider in Ghana.
Management has also implemented clinical mentorship programmes to assist the Ashanti Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service and other facilities in strengthening capacity and expanding access to specialist care. Staff members are encouraged to attend international conferences to stay updated on emerging medical fields.
Dr. Baidoo reported ongoing work to complete the hospital's Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Centre and a Patients' Relatives Hostel, which are expected to enhance service delivery and patient experience. Additionally, the hospital is improving its road network and pedestrian walkways to ensure safety, while the stock of medical equipment has been upgraded to support quality healthcare delivery.
Performance indicators revealed a 16 per cent reduction in institutional deaths during the review period. Emergency attendance reached 26,581, surpassing the annual target of 25,000, while surgeries increased by six per cent, with 18,380 procedures performed compared to the target of 17,268. Outpatient attendance exceeded expectations by four per cent, recording 284,225 cases against a target of 273,144.
Radiotherapy, laboratory, and physiotherapy services showed marginal improvements. Professor David Asamoah, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, praised the ongoing collaboration between KNUST and KATH, noting that their joint research efforts have led to practical solutions for healthcare challenges. He emphasized the role of research as a driving force in the health sector and the importance of combining clinical excellence with empathy, respect, and patient engagement. Professor Asamoah concluded that the future of tertiary healthcare relies on strong partnerships and a renewed commitment to research and innovation.