Work has started on the old ‘Gee Blocks’ at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
About 60 per cent of the repairs on the leaking roofs of the five blocks under the Asantehene’s $10 million comprehensive renovation and modernisation project for the hospital, is completed.
The successful completion of the repairs of the concrete roofs would pave the way for the phased-renovation of all the wards at the hospital.
The A-D blocks, popularly called ‘GEE,’ named after one of the contractors who built the Hospital-Gee, Walter and Smith Ltd, with about 1,200 beds, since their construction in 1955, have never seen any renovation works, thus impacting adversely on quality of in-patient care.
Otumfuo’s initiative, launched on November 10, 2023, formed part of the legacy projects expected to be executed as part of the 25th anniversary of his ascension to the Golden stool, this year.
The Asantehene’s KATH Renovation Project is aimed at ensuring extensive repairs and modernisation of the old “Gee” blocks involving the complete overhaul and replacement of the plumbing, electrical, tiling, medical facilities and other civil works at the hospital.
This came to light at the maiden site meeting held on the project by a team from the management of the KATH, the lead sponsor of the project, Justmoh Constructions Limited, and the leadership of the Heal Komfo Anokye Project (HeKAP).
The purpose of the meeting was to assess the progress of the repair works on the concrete roofs and evaluate plans for the expedited phased-renovation of the various floors in the blocks which had never been comprehensively renovated since the commencement of operations of the hospital in 1955.
In attendance at the site meeting were the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KATH, Prof. Otchere Addai-Mensah; the CEO of Justmoh Constructions Limited, Mr Justice Amoh; Mr Samuel Adu-Boakye, chairman of HeKAP; Mr Frederick Oppong, Heads of Estates, KATH; and Jerry Owusu-Ansah of HeKAP.
After a thorough inspection, the meeting was satisfied with both the progress and quality of work done so far by Premier Steels Limited, the company executing the concrete roof repair works to stop the persistent seepage of water into the blocks and the wards anytime it rained.
Mr Amo, whose company has pledged to bear the full cost of the renovation of one of the blocks, reiterated his commitment to the speedy execution and possible completion of the project to coincide with the climax of the Asantehene’s 25th anniversary celebration.
He said he was expecting that the best of hospital grade materials meeting international standards would be used for the project to ensure the longevity of the work that would be done for the benefit of current and future generations.
“The funds that I have committed to this project is available and secured and if there will be the need for additional support to ensure that the highest possible quality work was done on it and in expeditious manner, I am prepared to consider that,” Mr Amoh assured.
Prof. Addai-Mensah praised Mr Amoh for his public-spirited commitment to the project and pledged the determination of the hospital’s Board and management and the leadership of the HeKAP team to the timely completion of the project.
FROM KINGSLEY HOPE, KUMASI