THE GOVERNMENT Hospital at Kuntanase in the Bosomtwe district of Ashanti needs urgent support and facilities befitting the status of a district hospital to operate efficiently.

Initially established as a health centre in1989 and now upgraded into a district Hospital since 2003, the facility needs an ambulance, a blood bank refrigerator and laboratory, as well as a multi-purpose children and female wards and specialized clinics to operate.

The hospital Administrator, Mr. Collins Agyenim-Boateng, told Ashanti File during an end-of-year staff party that the hospital relies on nearby Pramso Catholic hospital for its blood bank requirements.

He mentioned inadequate accommodation units for staff, inadequate supply of water and lack of adequate means of transport as some of the other challenges facing the hospital.

According to him, the facility relies on only one old vehicle for its entire operations, including outreach services. He said the hospital also lacks adequate staff.

The administrator said the hospital would need more accommodation units and expands its OPD services by introducing ENT and Eye and Diet-Related Clinics, as well as drill more mechanized boreholes for the hospital this year.

He said the Dental clinic which was introduced last year, would also be furnished for full operation and as well complete the erection of a fence wall around the premises to prevent intruders and stray animals from invading the facility at random.

Mr. Agyenim-Boateng said management had decided to complete the administration block this year, since administrative staff are operating in an uncompleted structure.

He said most of the projects at the hospital stalled because management decided to concentrate on its core duties of stocking the pharmacy with drugs and ensuring availability of consumables at all times from its Internally Generated Funds.

He said in spite of the challenges, the hospital was able to renovate the wards and laboratory and the OPD.

Mr. Agyenim-Boateng commended the Bosomtwe District Assembly for constructing a four-unit staff residential accommodation for the hospital.

Administrator Agyenim-Boateng said management created additional consulting rooms to improve upon services and OPD attendance and that it is being considered to also provide canteen for in-patients and staff.

Mr. Agyenim-Boateng has, therefore, called for support from stakeholders and the general Public to make the facility function more efficiently this year.