Healthcare services at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) are expected to resume fully after a breakthrough meeting between the leadership of striking health professionals and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene.
The meeting, held on Sunday, June 7, brought together representatives of the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association, the Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Medical Association, as well as leaders of the Nurses and Midwives Association to discuss the ongoing industrial action that has disrupted services at the facility.
The strike began after the suspension of KATH Chief Executive Officer, by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh. The decision followed controversy surrounding a directive to temporarily suspend fresh admissions at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit due to overcrowding.
Initially led by doctors, the industrial action later gained momentum when nurses and midwives joined the protest, demanding the reinstatement of the suspended CEO.
Speaking to the media after the closed-door discussions, Dr. Amoakohene indicated that significant progress had been made toward resolving the impasse. He expressed optimism that normal healthcare delivery would soon be restored, adding that the leadership of the various associations would brief their members and subsequently communicate their final decision to the public.
According to the Regional Minister, the meeting also focused on long-term measures to address persistent congestion and pressure on the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
As part of efforts to ease the burden on the facility, Dr. Amoakohene revealed plans to accelerate the operationalisation of the Afari, Trede, Oforikrom and Sewua hospitals, which are expected to absorb some of the patient load currently directed to KATH.
The meeting was attended by key health sector officials, including the Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service. The suspended KATH CEO was not present but was represented by a member of the hospital’s staff.
Leaders of the doctors, nurses and midwives associations are expected to meet their respective members to present the outcome of the discussions before making an official announcement on the future of the strike.
