Authorities of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have started test runs on its GH�1.6 million Eye Centre.
The 50-bed eye centre will provide world-class ophthalmic services to those in Ghana and neighbouring countries with eye defects.
The test run is to identify construction challenges and defects, as well as the inflow of patients, among others, before the inauguration of the project for full surgical operations to begin.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Kumasi yesterday, the Head on the Eye Unit, Dr Seth Lartey, said the exercise would continue for about four months by which time the centre would have identified all operational challenges and effectively addressed them.
Construction works on the KATH eye centre started two years ago. sponsored by the Himalayan Cataract Project, the Ghana Government, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
Besides the 50-bed capacity to admit patients with eye defects, the centre is equipped with three theatres and 100-seat conference hall.
Cincerning the patronage of patients, Dr Lartey said so far the centre had been treating an average of 80 patients a day.
Last year, the Chief Executive Officer of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, said some military structures close to the centre were impeding its effective operations.
He explained that the adjourning structures emitted smoke and other sensitive substances which were likely to affect the medical equipment that would be installed at the centre.
The situation, he said, was also likely to undermine quality healthcare delivery when the centre started operations, noting that efforts to demolish the structures to pave the way for full operations at the centre had not been successful.
However, on her working visit to the KATH four months ago, the Minister of Health, Madam Sherry Ayittey, debunked the assertion that the adjourning structures would undermine the smooth operations of the KATH Eye Centre.
She said her ministry was collaborating with the Ministry of Defence to address the challenges and noted that while the collaboration was going on, it was important for KATH authorities to start operating the facility as soon as construction works were completed.
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