Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, the Chief Executive Officer of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), has pledged to enhance internal services to ensure timely payments to suppliers. The announcement was made during a press conference on July 31, 2024, attended by key suppliers who have consistently supported the hospital with essential commodities.
Dr. Ampomah emphasized the hospital’s commitment to improving its internal processes to minimize human interaction in the payment follow-up process. “We are working to improve our internal processes so that payments are made automatically once supplies are delivered. This will eliminate the need for suppliers to follow up physically; once you supply us, you can be rest assured that within the time frame, your payment will come,” he stated.
The conference served as a platform to acknowledge and appreciate the longstanding contributions of the suppliers, some of whom have supported the hospital for nearly a century. The event also aimed to strengthen the collaboration between the hospital and its suppliers, enhancing mutual benefits for both parties.
Dr. Ampomah underscored the importance of this engagement, stating, “The supplier’s conference is a different level of engagement where we are sitting with those who provide various services to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. We aim to improve our relationship and collaboration for the mutual benefit of the institution and our patients.”
Felicity Commey, the Deputy Director of Supply Chain, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the hospital’s commitment to overcoming current challenges and achieving mutual growth. “In this spirit of collaboration and mutual growth, we look forward to our continued partnership. Together, we can achieve new heights, overcome future challenges, and make significant strides in improving healthcare outcomes for our community,” she said.
Commey also acknowledged the economic difficulties faced by suppliers, who have continued to meet the hospital’s urgent needs despite payment delays. “We understand the current economic situation and acknowledge the stress of meeting our needs. We know it has been challenging, but we ask for your patience as we work towards timely payments,” she added.
The conference was attended by representatives from several key suppliers, including Ernest Chemist, Res Health Consult, Hills Pharmacy Limited, and East Cantonments Pharmacy Limited. The suppliers expressed their commitment to supporting the hospital and contributing to the healthcare sector and the nation’s well-being.