The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has launched its 70th Anniversary, under the theme: “70 Years of Impacting Lives: Celebrating the Past and Repositioning for the Future.”
It is under the chairmanship of Otumfuo’s Hiahene, Nana Professor Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, who is also the Chairman of the KATH Board.
As a result, management of KATH has planned a series of engaging and impactful activities designed to honour KATH’s heritage while building the momentum for the future.
The planned activities include medical outreach programmes by various Directorates of the health facility, events to recognise and celebrate present and past staff members and partners for their outstanding performance, long service and support, public lectures and symposia on health advancements.
The activities also include research findings, fundraising drives to support KATH’s modernisation drive and grand anniversary climate ceremonies to reflect their collective achievements and reaffirm KATH’s commitments.
In 1954, the new hospital complex was completed by the contractors, Messrs. GEE Walter & Slater of the United Kingdom and named Kumasi Central Hospital (now Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital), in honour and memory of the legendary fetish, Okomfo Anokye.
The hospital attained a ‘teaching hospital’ status for the clinical training of medical students following the establishment of the School of Medical Sciences (now School of Medicine and Dentistry, SMD) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in 1975.
KATH is currently a major centre for the training of postgraduate medical and dental practitioners in various specialties and the training of undergraduate personnel in Pharmacy, Nursing and many Allied Health Professions.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KATH, Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, mentioned that the launch was not merely to mark a milestone, but to celebrate the hospital’s mandate over seven decades of sustained and profound impacts on lives of millions across the country and beyond, through the provision of quality specialist healthcare, training and research.
The CEO indicated that over the past 50 years, KATH, on its own and through strategic collaborations with world-class medical institutions, has pioneered and expanded specialist clinical services to countless number of Ghanaians and beyond from managing complex emergencies to delivering life-saving maternal care; from innovative surgeries to community outreach drives to impact lives, restore health, foster hope, and made impressive contributions to national development.
He added that KATH has equally been significant in its phenomenal contribution to the training and professional development of some of the most outstanding healthcare professionals in the country, who are globally competitive in making life-changing contributions in the healthcare space all over the world.
The CEO also declared the commitment of the current board and management to achieving its vision, by building the capacity of its staff members (KATH’s greatest assets) in emerging fields in medicine, and upgrading clinical facilities to meet contemporary standards of dignified, restorative, and compassionate care, as captured in the Hospital’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, which has been finalised by the board at its recent retreats.
According to him, the acquisition of requisite modern equipment, including advanced diagnostic systems such as imaging, catheterisation labs, intensive care and minimally invasive surgical equipment, in building the capacity of our staff to provide subspecialty, subspecialist and super-specialist services,
It has as well deepened operational research in collaboration with local and international institutions, expand staff welfare, and prioritise patient-centred innovations to solidify KATH’s role as a true centre of excellence.
Dr. Baidoo stressed that remarkable progress had been achieved under the first phase of the renovation of the ageing block at the Hospital under the Asantehene’s Heal Komfo Anokye Project, but a lot more needed to be done to improve the environment for optimum care.
The CEO pleaded for steady support from government, corporate Ghana, philanthropists, stakeholders in this regard to advance the pace of work commenced under the project,
Deputising for the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Abubakar Sadiq, Chief Executive Officer, Old Tafo Municipal Assembly, indicated that 70 years of dedicated service was truly a remarkable achievement since KATH’s founding, adding that it had been a symbol of medical excellence, innovation, and compassionate care, serving not only the people of Ashanti, but all of Ghana.
He emphasised the central role KATH has played in specialised health care, medical education, research and referral services noting that the hospital’s journey reflects resilience, excellence, and an unwavering dedication to saving lives even in the face of limited resources and evolving health challenges.
The Minister’s rep assured that the government remained committed to enhancing health care infrastructure, increasing access to quality services, and supporting teaching hospitals to effectively fulfil their health mandates.
Hon. Sadiq urged all stakeholders, government, development partners, the private sector, and the public to deepen their commitment and support the current vision of KATH to ensure the hospital remains responsive, innovative and patient-centred for generations to come.
From Oswald P. Freiku, Kumasi
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