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Editorial

Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is not ‘a place of no return’

 The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, has expressed concerns on the widespread belief that the hospital is “a place of no return.”

Dr. Ampomah claims that this view has caused fear in many peo­ple, and that fear has impacted the hospital since those people refuse to go to Korle-Bu when they are referred there for medical care.

When people refuse to seek medical attention in a timely manner, it has either made their condition worse for some patients or resulted in the premature death of many others.

However, Dr. Ampomah says that Korle-Bu is among the most effec­tive hospitals in terms of providing healthcare.

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According to him, “99 percent of patients admitted return home healthy after receiving treatment, contrary to the belief that people die when they seek healthcare here.”

Dr. Ampomah explained the sit­uation at the first Korle-Bu health­fest and photo exhibition that was accessible to the public.

He said because of the false stereotype that you will die if you go to Korle-Bu, “people on referrals with various conditions stay away for many months or years and by the time they report, it might be too late.”

It is unfortunate that some peo­ple choose to stay at home worsen­ing their health rather than visiting KBTH, despite the facility being a national asset that belongs to all Ghanaians.

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The Spectator expresses alarm about this disclosure and advises the sick on referral to seek medical care at Korle-Bu without hesitation for their own well-being.

We entreat the media to be more cautious in their reporting to inspire confidence in the public and help them get the most out of the hospital, rather than listening to stories that do not edify.

This is due to the fact that patient trust in the hospital plays a critical role in the healing process when it comes to healthcare.

The Spectator applauds the hospital for taking the initiative to launch the patient feedback system in an effort to identify and try to address the specific problems raised by the general public.

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It is encouraging that although some people are reluctant to visit Korle-Bu for medical attention, others choose to do so because the facility is staffed by highly skilled physicians and other healthcare professionals.

Presently, it employs more than 4,000 medical and paramedical personnel, seeing 1,500 patients a day on average, 250 of whom are admitted each day for additional care.

Being a human institution, the hospital may have flaws, so we implore all parties involved to stand by Korle-Bu and help position it to serve the medical needs of Ghanaians and other citizens. At the moment, Korle-Bu is the largest hospital in Africa and the primary national referral centre in Ghana.

In order to make the environ­ment comfortable for patients, we also implore people and organisa­tions to adopt and routinely main­tain the wards in the various de­partments. Bungalows should also be renovated to provide physicians and other staff with a respectable environment to work.

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Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is not ‘a place of no return.’

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Editorial

Clubs must be proactive to prevent violence at home grounds

Dear Editor,

The recent disturbances during a Ghana Premier League match between Nsoatreman FC and Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Sunday, February 2 in Nsoatre in the Bono region, which tragically resulted in the death of a dedicated supporter of Kotoko, have revealed the deep security issues affecting the growth of Ghana football.

The incident reveals the increasing lawlessness and violent behaviour of some football fans during and after games, the lack of proper security measures in place, and the failure to address violence in Ghanaian football.

Football is meant to unite, inspire, and entertain, not to claim lives. The loss of Francis Yaw Frimpong, aka Nana Pooley, is something that should never have happened, and justice must be served.

The Ghana Police Service has taken bold and expected steps by arresting suspects, but this should only be the beginning of a huge effort in eradicating football-related violence across the country.

Also, clubs should be held accountable for their actions and ensure proper measures to keep their venues security-ready and safe.

Strict punishments must be meted to people who involve themselves in football-related violence. Those found guilty of inciting or participating in hooliganism should face lifetime bans from venues with heavy fines and criminal prosecution.

To act as a deterrent, clubs whose supporters commit violent crimes should also be subject to severe sanctions, such as fines and point deductions. Additionally, campaigns for education and awareness must be planned in order to inform supporters who act ignorantly due to emotion and a lack of knowledge about the repercussions.

Finally, in order to stop additional harm, everyone should have access to better compensation and support for referees and players. Dissatisfaction with refereeing calls or unfavourable match conditions are the primary causes of violent events. Some of these conflicts can be avoided by making sure referees are properly protected, rewarded, and trained. Players, too, need to feel safe when stepping onto the pitch, knowing that their careers and lives are not at risk.

This tragic incident should serve as a wake-up call for all football lovers and demand concrete actions to be taken to prevent more violence and the possible collapse of our domestic league and damage to Ghana’s football reputation. The GFA, clubs, security agencies, and fans must come together to fight this cancer, which is almost taking over our game.

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Enoch Ntiamoah,

Nkawkaw

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Editorial

Our MPs must show good character

Dear Editor,

I am one of the many Ghanaians that got disappointed over recent happenings in Ghana’s legislative house, Parliament.

It is a house of ‘Honourables’ and on paper, nothing can erase that or take that away from them.

However, they have a lot of work to do if they want Ghanaians to maintain that high respect and regard we have for them.

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The behaviour of the Members of Parliament, especially those on the minority NPP at the Vetting Committee left Ghanaians so disappointed in them.

It looks funny sometimes watching how they shoved each other and destroy tables and microphones, properties acquired with the taxpayers money. Clearly, they don’t care how our resources were spent but that is a duty.

Despite the apologies offered, I think members involved in the fracas must wholeheartedly accept responsibility for their actions and together pay for the properties destroyed. For me, that will serve as true remorse.

Sammy Morgan,

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Okaikwei

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