Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the national health referral system to help reduce avoidable referrals to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

He says by investing in district and regional hospitals, the pressure on teaching hospitals will ease.

Dr. Amoakohene has therefore assured of the operationalization of the Afari Military Hospital, Sewua Regional Hospital, and the KNUST Hospital to allow for Komfo Anokye’s renovation and expansion.

The Ashanti Regional Minister has asked the leadership of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the regional director of health services to develop an implementation model that deploys senior medical residents and consultants to collaborate with local facilities.

Dr. Frank Amoakohene said the government remains committed to bolstering healthcare across the region through decentralized specialized care.

He was speaking at the launch of the 50th anniversary celebration of the School of Medical Sciences (SMS) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

“The government’s investment in completing major health infrastructure projects, such as the Afari Military Hospital, the Sewua Regional Hospital, and the KNUST Hospital, is a bold step toward easing the pressure on Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). This strategic move will allow for much-needed renovation and expansion of KATH, a facility that has served Ghana with distinction for decades.

“There is the need for a holistic review of our national referral system. Many avoidable referrals to KATH can be managed at peripheral facilities if we decentralize surgical and specialist care. It is time we deploy senior residents and consultants on-call to collaborate with district and regional hospitals, providing real-time support, performing surgeries, and strengthening local capacity. I have tasked the CEO of KATH and the regional director of health services to design a model for implementation,” he said.

The KNUST School of Medical Sciences is marking the 50th anniversary under the theme: "A Glance at the Past, A Glimpse into the Future," capturing the school’s achievements and reflecting on improvement for better healthcare in Ghana.

Dean of School of Medical Sciences, Prof. Akwasi Antwi Kusi, called for attention to the lack of space at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), where SMS students undergo clinical training.

“We have the potential to expand, but we are constrained by the lack of lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and accommodation at KATH. Currently, our combined class for medical and dental students stands at 320, but only 120 students can be accommodated in our classrooms,” he noted.