The management of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has assured that a non-functioning lift at the Surgical Department will be restored within the next two months to enhance emergency operations.
This assurance comes after the Neurological Department raised alarm over the breakdown of one of its two lifts. Members of Parliament’s Health Committee, who toured the facility on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, sought explanations from hospital authorities on the situation.
Chief Executive of KBTH, Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam, explained that the delay in repairs was linked to challenges with approvals from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).
“The procurement has been done. There was some delay with the PPA, but it was finally approved, and we have given it to the vendor. The vendor has also engaged the manufacturer, and we have been assured that within two months, the elevator should be installed and operational. At the moment, only one elevator is working,” he stated.
Beyond the issue of elevators, Dr. Adam appealed to Parliament to expedite legislation on organ harvesting, stressing its potential to reduce the financial burden of transplants.
“Currently, anyone who needs a kidney transplant must travel to India, America, or the UK, even though we have the expertise here. For cornea transplants, we have to import corneas from America at prices ranging from $3,000 to $4,000. With legislation, we could harvest corneas locally, bringing the cost down to about GHC500 for patients,” he noted.