Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
Encyclopedia
The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi
, Ghana
, is the second-largest hospital in the country and the only tertiary health institution in the Ashanti Region
. It is the main referral hospital for the Ashanti
, Brong Ahafo, Northern
, Upper East
and Upper West Region
s.
The hospital was built in 1954 as the Kumasi Central Hospital. It was later named Komfo Anokye Hospital after Okomfo Anokye
, a legendary fetish priest
of the Ashanti. It was converted into a teaching hospital
in 1975 affiliated to the medical school
of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
. The hospital is also accredited for postgraduate training by the West African College of Surgeons in surgery
, obstetrics
and gynaecology
, otorhinolaryingology, ophthalmology
and radiology
. The hospital currently has about 1000 beds, up from the initial 500 when first built.
Kumasi
Kumasi is a city in southern central Ghana's Ashanti region. It is located near Lake Bosomtwe, in the Rain Forest Region about northwest of Accra. Kumasi is approximately north of the Equator and north of the Gulf of Guinea...
, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, is the second-largest hospital in the country and the only tertiary health institution in the Ashanti Region
Ashanti Region
The Ashanti Region is the third largest of 10 administrative regions in Ghana, occupying a total land surface of 24389 square kilometers or 10.2 per cent of the total land area of Ghana. In terms of population, however, it is the most populated region with a population of 3,612,950 in 2000,...
. It is the main referral hospital for the Ashanti
Ashanti Region
The Ashanti Region is the third largest of 10 administrative regions in Ghana, occupying a total land surface of 24389 square kilometers or 10.2 per cent of the total land area of Ghana. In terms of population, however, it is the most populated region with a population of 3,612,950 in 2000,...
, Brong Ahafo, Northern
Northern Region (Ghana)
The Northern Region is the largest area of Ghana. As of 2009, it is divided into 20 districts. The region's capital is Tamale. Climatically, religiously, linguistically, and culturally, the region differs greatly from the politically and economically dominating regions of central and southern...
, Upper East
Upper East Region
The Upper East Region is the smallest of 10 administrative regions in Ghana, occupying a total land surface of 8,842 square kilometers or 2.7 per cent of the total land area of Ghana. In terms of population, it is the ninth most populated region with a population of 920,089 in 2000, accounting for...
and Upper West Region
Upper West Region
The Upper West Region of Ghana is located in the northwestern corner of the country and is bordered by Burkina Faso to the north. The capital and largest city is Wa. Other towns include Nandom, Daffiema, Jirapa, Kaleo, Nadowli, Lawra and Tumu....
s.
The hospital was built in 1954 as the Kumasi Central Hospital. It was later named Komfo Anokye Hospital after Okomfo Anokye
Okomfo Anokye
Okomfo Anokye was an Ashanti priest, statesman and lawgiver. He occupies a Merlin-like position in Ashanti history. A co-founder of the Empire of Ashanti in West Africa, he helped establish its constitution, laws, and customs....
, a legendary fetish priest
Fetish priest
In Ghana, Togo, and Benin and other parts of West Africa a fetish priest serves a spirit associated with an image or object that is usually kept in an enclosed place called a fetish shrine, often a simple mud hut with some kind of enclosure or fence around it. He performs rituals to consult and...
of the Ashanti. It was converted into a teaching hospital
Teaching hospital
A teaching hospital is a hospital that provides clinical education and training to future and current doctors, nurses, and other health professionals, in addition to delivering medical care to patients...
in 1975 affiliated to the medical school
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology is a university located in Kumasi, Ghana.It is the second public university established in the country. The University has its roots in the plans of the Asantehene Agyeman Prempeh I to establish a university in Kumasi as part of his drive...
. The hospital is also accredited for postgraduate training by the West African College of Surgeons in surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
, obstetrics
Obstetrics
Obstetrics is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period...
and gynaecology
Gynaecology
Gynaecology or gynecology is the medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive system . Literally, outside medicine, it means "the science of women"...
, otorhinolaryingology, ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
and radiology
Radiology
Radiology is a medical specialty that employs the use of imaging to both diagnose and treat disease visualized within the human body. Radiologists use an array of imaging technologies to diagnose or treat diseases...
. The hospital currently has about 1000 beds, up from the initial 500 when first built.
Clinical Directorates
- Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
- Child Health
- Dental, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat (DEENT)
- Diagnostics
- Medicine
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Oncology
- Polyclinic
- Surgery
- Accident and Emergency department
- Pharmacy
Non-Clinical Directorates
- Domestic Services
- Security
- Supply Chain Management
- Technical Services
See also
- Korle Bu Teaching HospitalKorle Bu Teaching HospitalThe Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is the premier health care facility in Ghana. It is the only tertiary hospital in the southern part of Ghana and it is also a teaching hospital affiliated with the medical school of the University of Ghana...
- List of hospitals in Ghana
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyKwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyKwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology is a university located in Kumasi, Ghana.It is the second public university established in the country. The University has its roots in the plans of the Asantehene Agyeman Prempeh I to establish a university in Kumasi as part of his drive...
- The story of Okomfo AnokyeOkomfo AnokyeOkomfo Anokye was an Ashanti priest, statesman and lawgiver. He occupies a Merlin-like position in Ashanti history. A co-founder of the Empire of Ashanti in West Africa, he helped establish its constitution, laws, and customs....
founding member of the Ashanti tribe. The sword in the legend is said to still be buried on the hospital grounds.