The Surgical Block of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has been closed to allow for what hospital authorities say is massive maintenance work. The maintenance is in accordance with the hospital's desire to upgrade its facilities. A statement issued in Accra and signed by the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mr. Mustapha Salifu, said work on the block is expected to be completed by October this year. He said because of the maintenance work, "only urgent and emergency surgical cases will be attended to in alternative theatres in the hospital." The statement noted that "Patients who have been previously given appointments for surgery should bear with their doctors when they are rescheduled as this refurbishment will result in improvements to theatre services provided by the hospital." Mr. Salifu expressed the hospital's regret for any inconvenience caused to patients.