The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi is to begin a review of its operating procedures following the saga missing baby scandal that hit the institution earlier this year.

The review will look into the standard operating procedure which is aimed at redeeming its image.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the hospital Isaiah–Offei Gyimah says the saga has dented the hospitals’ reputation exposing it to public ridicule while staff morale has fallen.

“Our public image has been dented and we want to restore it”.

He said measures will be put in place to restore public confidence in the hospital.

Suweiba Abdul Moomen lost her baby which was said to be still born at the hospital in February this year. Four other mothers were also reported to have lost their babies under same circumstances at the hospital.

The two midwives who were on duty on the day of delivery of Suweiba’s baby could not account for the whereabouts of the baby. They said the baby was handed over to the orderly, named Baba, who was unable to tell authorities the location of the baby when questioned at the time.

The Ministry of Health instituted an investigation into the incident which led to the suspension of some staff for a couple of weeks. Authorities are however, determined to restore public confidence in the institution.

As part of measures to prevent the situation from occurring, the Acting Chief said all Directors must develop Style Operating Procedures (SOPs) guidelines, on how to handle still born babies. He added that monitoring tools of staff at the hospital will also be reviewed. Customer service training programmes will be organized in the hospital and all staff members are supposed to attend, he stressed.

On answering question about the whereabouts of the baby, the Acting Chief said the orderly Baba has admitted taking the baby but said he sent it to the incinerator.

The police are dealing extensively with the matter, he added.

[Posted by JTM]