KATH Orthopaedic Unit Sounds Alarm Over Surge in Road Accident Cases
Dr. Michael Leat warns reckless driving, especially among Pragia riders, is fueling overcrowding and injuries
- KATH Orthopaedic Ward sees rising admissions, mostly young Pragia riders injured in accidents.
- Dr. Michael Lit cites inadequate space and calls for stricter adherence to traffic regulations.
- Assembly Member Dominic Bonsu donates medical equipment and funds to support patient care.
The Head of theOrthopaedics Directorate at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr. Michael Leat, has raised concerns about a rising influx of patients, attributing the surge largely to the increasing number of road accidents.
Dr. Leat revealed that the majority of patients are young people, particularly commercial tricycle operators, popularly known as “Pragia” riders.
He made the remarks during a donation event organized by Dominic Bonsu, the Assembly Member for Manso Takorase, who presented medical equipment to the unit to support quality healthcare delivery.
“If you visit the Orthopaedic Ward at Komfo Anokye, you will notice that the wards are overcrowded because many young people engage in reckless driving, often resulting in severe road crashes,” Dr. Leat lamented.
He urged drivers and Pragia riders to strictly adhere to traffic regulations to help curb the alarming trend.
Dr. Leat also highlighted inadequate space as a major challenge in managing the rising number of fracture cases. “Our biggest challenge is space. We need more room to properly manage patients with fractures, but currently, we are forced to work within limited capacity,” he explained.
During the donation event, Dominic Bonsu emphasized that national development requires contributions from both the government and individuals. He donated items including a standing BP apparatus, dressing trolley, wheelchairs, bed frames, and a vital signs monitor to improve patient care. In addition, he paid GH¢12,000 to facilitate the discharge of a patient who had remained hospitalized due to financial constraints.
Mr. Bonsu further revealed plans for additional donations to the hospital in the near future, stressing the importance of collective responsibility. “We do not know when or how any of us may become patients here one day, so it is vital that we all contribute to support the hospital,” he said.
