Management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has assured that the faulty elevator at the Surgical Department will be repaired and fully operational within the next two months. The move is expected to ease pressure on the facility and improve the delivery of emergency surgical services.
The assurance follows concerns raised by the Neurological Department over the breakdown of one of its two elevators. During a visit by Parliament’s Health Committee on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Chief Executive of the hospital, Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam, explained that the delay stemmed from challenges with approvals at the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).
“The procurement has been completed. There was some delay with the PPA, but it has now been approved. We have awarded the contract to the vendor, who has already engaged the manufacturer. We have been assured that within two months, the elevator will be installed and operational. At present, only one elevator is functioning,” Dr. Adam said.
Beyond infrastructure challenges, Dr. Adam also urged Parliament to expedite the passage of legislation on organ harvesting, stressing that it would significantly reduce the cost of transplants for patients.
“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 rely on imports from America at costs ranging from $3,000 to $4,000. With enabling legislation, we could harvest corneas locally, bringing the cost down to about GHC500,” he explained.
The passage of such legislation, he noted, would not only cut costs but also expand access to life-saving procedures for many Ghanaians.
