A doctors’ association at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has urged authorities to urgently operationalise the Afari Military Hospital and Sewua Government Hospital to ease severe congestion and bed shortages at the facility.

The call was made by Dr. Michael Leat, Chairman of the Komfo Anokye Doctors’ Association (KADA), following renewed concerns over overcrowding at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Centre.

Dr. Leat said the two facilities, which together have a capacity of about 600 beds, could significantly reduce pressure on KATH if fully activated.

He explained that the Afari Military Hospital has about 100 beds, while the Sewua Government Hospital has a 500-bed capacity, both of which are yet to be fully brought into operation.

According to him, KATH continues to serve as the main tertiary referral hospital for the Ashanti Region and surrounding areas, placing a heavy burden on its infrastructure and staff.

Speaking on Citi FM on 4 June Dr. Leat said the situation at KATH reflects broader systemic challenges in Ghana’s healthcare delivery, including inadequate resources and an overwhelming referral load.

He said the congestion should prompt collaboration between the Ministry of Health and other health facilities rather than punitive measures against hospital management.

“Yes, there’s overcrowding… there should be collaboration between Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, the Health Ministry and other health facilities,” he said.

Dr. Leat added that operationalising existing but underutilised hospitals would help redistribute patients and improve service delivery.

“If we can be able to operationalise these hospitals, I don’t think we will be in this situation,” he said.

Recent concerns over congestion at KATH’s Accident and Emergency Centre had prompted official queries into the hospital’s management, sparking debate over healthcare capacity and referral systems in the region.

Health professionals say addressing structural gaps in hospital infrastructure remains key to improving patient care and reducing pressure on frontline medical staff.