Accra, March 4, 2025 – The Acting Chief Executive Officer of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Dr. Frank Owusu Sekyere, has issued a stern warning against the theft of vital medical equipment, particularly copper oxygen pipes, which are essential for patient care.
During a media tour of ongoing construction works at the hospital on Monday, Dr. Sekyere revealed that thieves have been cutting and stealing copper pipes that supply oxygen to wards, endangering patients’ lives.
“A Life-Threatening Phenomenon”
Dr. Sekyere described the situation as alarming, stating that such acts have severe consequences for critical patients who depend on oxygen supply.
“…People cut part of the copper pipes, so imagine a patient is on oxygen, and all of a sudden it stops because somebody has gone to cut it,” he said.
He further disclosed that some individuals were caught over the weekend attempting to steal cables from the hospital premises, and the case has been reported to the Korle-Bu Police Station for investigation and possible prosecution.
Huge Financial Losses to the Hospital
The theft of these essential materials is also taking a huge financial toll on the hospital.
🔹 GH₵400,000 ($30,000) spent to replace stolen copper pipes.
🔹 Thieves sell stolen pipes for as little as GH₵50 ($3) as scrap.
🔹 Ongoing expenses for repairs and security enhancements.
“It is ridiculously expensive trying to fix these copper pipes. Somebody takes a chunk of it for scrap, and we are paying through our noses just to have that one fixed,” Dr. Sekyere lamented.
Security Enhancements at Korle Bu
To curb the rising theft, the hospital is:
✅ Installing more CCTV cameras – Though not monitored in real-time, they provide evidence for investigations.
✅ Procuring private security services – To complement internal security personnel.
✅ Encouraging public vigilance – Calling on scrap dealers and the public to report suspicious individuals selling hospital equipment.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Sekyere assured the public that Korle Bu’s oxygen plant is fully operational and has the capacity to meet patient needs.
“Oxygen, of course, may have its own challenges every now and then, but with proper maintenance, we should be able to put to rest the issue of oxygen supply,” he assured.
The media tour covered key renovation sites, including:
📌 Maternity Block
📌 Ward E & Orthopaedic Ward (Ward H)
📌 Oxygen Plant
📌 New perimeter wall for improved security
Authorities are urging all stakeholders to support efforts in protecting hospital infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery.
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