Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has organised a forum to deepen its relationship with its suppliers and contractors.
The intention of the hospital in organising the forum is to reinforce the hospital’s commitment to transparent communication, improved service delivery, and the strengthening of long-term partnerships essential to its healthcare mission.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Chief Executive of the hospital, the Director of Administration, Mr. Munir Alhassan, emphasised the value KBTH places on its relationship with suppliers. He reiterated management’s appreciation for the critical role vendors play in ensuring the hospital runs efficiently, adding, “We are partners in healthcare delivery.” He noted that the engagement aimed not only to foster open dialogue but also to identify and resolve operational challenges impeding effective collaboration.
During the interactive session, stakeholders voiced several concerns affecting their businesses. A recurring issue was the significant delay in payments, with some suppliers citing outstanding payments dating back four to six months. While the hospital has adopted an online payment system to streamline transactions, many suppliers reported that bureaucratic processes still hinder the timely release of funds, making it difficult to maintain operations and restock essential supplies.
Another challenge raised involved the reconciliation of payments. Suppliers recommended that every payment should be accompanied by corresponding invoices to ensure clarity and accountability, particularly within the digital system.
Procurement bottlenecks also emerged as a major concern. Some suppliers noted that after contracts are awarded, there are often no follow-up “call-offs” for the delivery of goods. This leads vendors to hold stock that sometimes expires before delivery is authorized—resulting in financial losses when products are rejected by the hospital due to expiration.
Inflation and price fluctuations during payment delays were also highlighted as factors that erode profit margins and threaten business sustainability. Suppliers appealed for more realistic timelines and flexible mechanisms to address the impact of economic changes on previously agreed prices.
To promote more effective coordination and collective advocacy, participants proposed the formation of a centralised platform or association for all vendors working with KBTH. Such a structure, they suggested, would allow for more structured dialogue and consistent communication with the hospital’s management.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Alhassan expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their frank contributions and assured them that all concerns raised would be communicated directly to the hospital’s Chief Executive. He also promised that a follow-up session would be organised to continue the conversation and jointly develop solutions.
The meeting was attended by key members of KBTH management, including Acting Director of Finance Mr. Gideon Gawuga, Director of Pharmacy Dr. Charles Ofei-Palm, Deputy Director of Supply Chain Ms. Felicity Commey, Head of Procurement Ms. Sarah Agbeko, and Deputy Head of Procurement Mr. NichoMarcus Niikoi Olai.
