Utilisation of KATH Eye Centre: Military calls for support to relocate barracks

He explained that efforts to relocate the military barracks to what is now  called a complex at Nyankyerenease began on July 7, 1997.

However, he added, 12 military personnel and their families, as well as a few civilians who worked with the Ministry of Defence, were left behind as a result of the lack of  accommodation for them at the complex.

In addition, he said, the military still operated other facilities at the old barracks which were yet to be relocated.

These include the 2 Field Workshop, the 494 Engineers Squadron, 4 Military Police Detachment,  4 medical reception stations, a medical facility and the 4 Garrison Schools and Senior High School.

 “On the facial value, we have moved to complex because we have the top hierarchy of our personnel there, but  we still have valuable facilities and personnel at the old barracks yet to join us here, giving me  the unpleasant situation of administering two separate barracks at great cost,” Lt. Col Parbey said.

“We still have troops and facilities at the old barracks, so it is not true that we have fully relocated to complex. We are not happy that some military personnel  are still occupying structures close to the newly constructed KATH Eye Clinic and over the years we have tried to move them to our new barracks but we have problems of accommodation and no funds to develop structures to move them there,” the commander stated.

He indicated that the military command had discussed with the KATH authorities to initiate dialogue between the ministries of Health and Defence on how to raise funds to construct housing units for  the  military personnel left behind.

The Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, reiterated the need for the remaining military personnel and their families to move from the old barracks, as  their domestic activities constantly emitted  smoke and other sensitive substances which were likely to affect the efficient and effective operations of the medical equipment  that would be installed at the eye centre.

He said  as soon the military personnel vacated the area, the hospital  would  install the requisite equipment for the eye centre to start operations.

Story by George Ernest Asare