A crucial piece of life-saving equipment, intended for the oncology unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, has been held up at the port due to the hospital’s inability to pay an import duty of GHC 1 million.
This equipment is vital for the treatment of cancer patients and is expected to significantly enhance the hospital’s capacity to diagnose and treat various types of cancer effectively. The delay in its release is causing concern among healthcare professionals and patients alike, as it affects the hospital’s ability to provide timely and critical care to those suffering from cancer.
The Chief Executive Officer of KATH, Prof. Otchere Addai-Mensah, has made a public appeal to the government to waive the import duty charges to allow for the swift release of the equipment. Prof. Addai-Mensah highlighted the urgency of the situation, stressing that the oncology unit is already under strain with the increasing number of cancer cases, and this new equipment could save countless lives by improving early detection and treatment outcomes.
Prof. Addai-Mensah pointed out that the inability to access the equipment due to financial constraints is detrimental to the hospital’s efforts to provide high-quality cancer care.
He emphasized that many cancer patients who rely on KATH for treatment could face delayed or inadequate care, potentially worsening their conditions.
The CEO called on the government to consider the larger impact of withholding such critical equipment over import duties, arguing that the health and lives of citizens should take precedence over revenue collection.
The situation has sparked public outrage and concern, with many Ghanaians and health advocacy groups calling for immediate government intervention.
They argue that as a leading teaching hospital in the country, KATH’s ability to function at its highest capacity is essential for the overall healthcare system in Ghana.
Calls for the import duty waiver are growing, with citizens urging the government to prioritize healthcare needs over bureaucratic hurdles.
In response to the outcry, some members of parliament and civil society organizations have also voiced their support for the waiver, emphasizing the need for policies that facilitate rather than hinder healthcare delivery.
They suggest that the government should establish special exemptions for medical equipment to ensure that healthcare facilities can access the tools they need without undue financial burden.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the government’s response, with hopes that a swift resolution will allow the much-needed equipment to be released and put to use in the fight against cancer at KATH.
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Story by: Osei Akoto (Teacher Kojo) #Ahotoronline.com
