Authorities at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi are to adopt the appointment system to address the problem of overcrowding at the Out Patients Department of the hospital by the end of September. The move is also to reduce the number of man-hours patients spend at the hospital, reduce pressure on staff and also increase productivity. The Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Anthony Nsiah-Asare, who disclosed this at KATH's Mid-Year Performance Review workshop in Kumasi on Wednesday said, for the system to be effective and efficient his outfit will work closely with the referral hospitals in the Ashanti Region. He said KATH will also put in place measures to check the incidence of loitering at the hospital and limit the presence of patient's relatives, especially at the wards. The institution of the twice yearly performance review workshops by the management of KATH, according to Dr Nsiah-Asare, was to provide a platform for regular evaluation of operations, identify shortcomings and achievements so as to design better strategies for improved service delivery in the years ahead. He said three-and-a-half years ago, the management of KATH, with the approval of the Board of Directors, designed and started the implementation of a Five Year Strategic Plan for the hospital spanning the period 2004 and 2008. The CEO of KATH said the objective was to restore, upgrade and expand the hospital's infrastructure and equipment and develop its human resources. Dr Nsiah-Asare said these were aimed at increasing access to tertiary care and provide quality and efficient evidence-based health care services which will lead to the attainment of the hospital's vision of achieving excellence in the provision of health care services. He was pleased that 76% of all activities planned for the entire period of 2004-2008 period are either completed or on-going. The KATH CEO expressed the hope that when the plan is fully implemented the hospital will be in a better position to improve access to quality and advanced care, provide prompt response to emergencies and increase tracer drug availability to 100 percent. "Additionally, the hospital will become a preferred employer in the health sector with unparalleled ability to attract, motivate and retain competent staff, and organisational peace and harmony will prevail through improved work environment," he said. Dr. Nsiah-Asare said management will continue to recognise and reward hard work and innovation without sacrificing discipline and hoped that the staff will continue to partner management to make the client (patient), the focus of all the activities of the hospital. He appealed to all stakeholders, including the staff and government to provide the necessary support and resources to ensure a successful implementation of the plan. Source: The Statesman