Korle Bu gets waiting area for visitors

The First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has opened a waiting area for visitors and relatives of patients at the Emergency Ward of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).

The waiting area, built by the First Atlantic Bank as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), will serve relatives of patients at the Accident Emergency Department, the Trauma Unit as well as the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

The building, with a seating capacity for 150 people, offers a decent waiting area providing comfort, safety, peace of mind and protection against adverse weather conditions for the relatives of patients.

Problem fixed

Opening the building yesterday, (Wednesday) Mrs Akufo-Addo was happy that her concern about how to help fix a challenge at the national referral hospital had been addressed.

She explained that during the inauguration of the Rebecca Akufo-Addo Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in May 2019, she could not help but observe that relatives of patients and visitors sat under trees and other uncomfortable places.

“I expressed my desire to Dr Okoe Boye, who was the Board Chair of Korle Bu at the time to find a solution. We approached some corporate institutions, including the First Atlantic Bank, to build a waiting area for Korle Bu.

 Fortunately, she said, "our proposal for a waiting area was in line with the corporate social objectives of the bank and the managing director of First Atlantic Bank acknowledged the enormous relief that such a project would bring to citizens, who have to wait as their relatives and friends undergo medical care and thus led the bank to take it up,” she said.

The First Lady further expressed her appreciation to First Atlantic Bank for ‘showing the human face of your business’ and charged the management of Korle Bu to ensure the place was well maintained.

She also urged visitors to help maintain the hygienic standards at the place.

“I also entreat visitors who use this waiting area to keep it clean and adhere to the required protocols for the use of this place,” she added.

Great relief

The Board Chairman of First Atlantic Bank, Mr Amarquaye Armar, said the bank did not hesitate when it was approached to undertake the project because it was going to help resolve a major challenge at the hospital.

“Today, we have a beautiful place which has facilities including washrooms, as well as banking solutions for those who might require financial services.

“Indeed, this facility will bring a huge relief to visitors, as well as the management of Korle Bu,” he said.

He said the facility was the third CSR to be undertaken by the bank and that it was focused on enhancing access to health and education for women and children.

 The CEO of Korle Bu, Dr Opoku Ware Ampomah, expressed his gratitude to Mrs Akufo-Addo and First Atlantic Bank for the gesture stressing that the building had come to address a huge challenge in the health facility.

“I also thank the board and staff of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for their support during this project,” he said.