Surgeons at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital are protesting poor working conditions at the hospital's main theatre.

They have taken to social media with the hashtag #FixTheTheatreNow to draw attention to their concerns, including faulty instruments, faulty air-conditions, poor ventilation and bug-infested furniture.

“I have seen faulty anaesthesia machines lined up in threatre like it is a museum of antiques. I’m a surgeon of KATH Main Theatre,” said one of them.

Others ask: “Did you know that surgeons at KATH main theatre have to beg for hot water from the adjacent canteen to be able to warm saline to lavage the abdomen of patients in surgery?”

Some staff who spoke to Luv News on condition of anonymity say they have complained to management but the challenges are yet to be addressed.

The Directorate of Surgery at KATH, however, says steps have been taken to resolve most of the issues raised by the doctors.

A statement issued by the Head of Directorate, Dr. Joseph Oppong, said problems with the theatre’s water heater, air conditions, furniture and anaesthesia machines have all been addressed.

The hospital has also initiated procurement processes and tendered for the purchase of the needed equipment and instruments to replace the old ones at the theatre.

The statement said the full renovation of the Main Theatre has been captured in the hospital’s 2021 budget.

“The renovation project would have commenced last year but for the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent disruptive impact on the hospital’s operations and finances,” it stated.

Members of staff are assured of commitment in providing needed logistics for the delivery of quality services.

The management has entreated staff to “exercise patience as the requisite processes have already been initiated to provide an optimum working environment for the delivery of quality surgical services”.