The management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) says it has been compelled to detain hundreds of patients longer than medically required for failing to pay their medical bills.

The rising number of indebted patients is causing a growing congestion crisis, affecting bed availability, delaying surgical procedures, and straining the facility’s limited resources.

Management says the rising number of detained patients is placing significant pressure on the hospital’s finances and its ability to meet obligations to medical suppliers.

Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo disclosed that some patients spend over three weeks in the facility after discharge.

He explained the impact of the situation on the hospital’s operations.

The Ashanti Business Owners Association visited the hospital to support the discharge of some detained patients.

Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo explained that every service rendered by the hospital must be accounted for, or it risks facing Parliament’s accounts committee over losses.

The Ashanti Business Association donated Ghc100,000 to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

The Executive Secretary of the Ashanti Business Owners Association says their intervention will allow the majority of detained patients to be discharged to join their families.

The intervention is an annual corporate social obligation the business advocacy group fulfills to assist vulnerable patients who have completed treatment but remain detained due to unpaid bills.