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The construction of a new maternity block for the Komfo Anokye University Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, is to go ahead after determining that the 45-year-old, old and abandoned unfinished structure is weak.
The Department of Health (MoH) and the management of KATH in collaboration with Contracta UK Company Limited, the contractor working on the reconstruction of the hospital’s 45-year-old maternity block, agreed on a new design with a size of reduced bed.
The reconstruction of the block will take place side by side with the demolition of the old structure to help reduce its bed capacity from 750 to 500 and would cost 138.5 million euros, the same as the cost of the renovation work alone for the old block before a top to bring it to the required standard.
The newly designed six-story structure is expected to be ready in three years.
Defense
Two officials from the architecture and engineering unit of the Ministry of Health took turns to demonstrate why it had become necessary to demolish the old structure despite calls for its maintenance.
Following a documentary which showed cracks and weaknesses in parts of the building, Mr. Benjamin Ampomah Nkansah from the infrastructure directorate at the Ministry of Health and Mr. Richard Vanderpuije, chief engineering director of the architecture and infrastructure of the ministry, accompanied by officials from Contracta, CEO of KATH, Dr Oheneba Owusu Danso and the regional minister of Ashanti, Mr Simon Osei Mensah, led journalists around the site.
Weak iron rods exposed to crumbling, that is, when water penetrates into the concrete and causes the surface to peel, come out or flake off, they have shown to those around, including to journalists, why the old structure had to be brought down.
Mr Vanderpuije said the decision to demolish the building followed a comprehensive risk assessment undertaken by the engineering companies involved, including Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL).
He said it would involve a lot more risk in repairing the old structure than building a new one.
“If left alone, the old building could fall by itself without anyone touching it.
“The building has passed its lifespan and in terms of risk and profitability it would be more expensive to maintain than to rebuild it,” said Vanderpuije.
He added that the old building could not last for the next five to ten years.
Background
The old maternity bloc was started by the former head of state of Ghana, General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong in 1976, but was abandoned halfway after its overthrow for lack of funding.
The structure over the years has undergone various improvements but could not be completed due to lack of funding.
Last December, President Akufo-Addo cut the sod of the old building to be finished after the (Ministry of Health) by the Parliament obtained a loan of 138.5 million euros.
The contractors were quickly mobilized to the site, but after an engineering study and a risk assessment, it was concluded that the old building should be demolished.
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