Hundreds of patients seeking medical attention at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi have been left stranded following a protest by doctors and nurses over the suspension of the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer.
The disruption, has affected services at the hospital’s Out-Patient Department (OPD), resulting in long waiting hours for patients, with many unable to access medical care.
The protest follows a decision by the Ministry of Health to suspend the KATH CEO for two weeks to pave the way for investigations into the circumstances surrounding the temporary closure of the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Centre.
According to the Ministry, the suspension is an administrative measure intended to facilitate an independent inquiry and establish accountability regarding the decision to shut down the 37-bed emergency facility.
Despite an appeal from the Ministry for health professionals to resume work and prioritize patient care, doctors and nurses at the facility reportedly continued their action, refusing to attend to new cases.
Reports from the hospital indicated that the situation created significant challenges for patients and their families, many of whom were left uncertain about when services would resume.
The Ministry has expressed concern over the impact of the protest on patients, particularly those requiring urgent medical attention, and has urged all parties to cooperate in resolving the matter.
Adding to the growing tension, the KATH branch of the Health Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress (TUC-Ghana) has publicly backed the position of the protesting health workers, a development that could further complicate efforts to restore normal operations.
The controversy stems from the temporary closure of the Accident and Emergency Centre, a decision reportedly linked to congestion and operational difficulties at the facility.
However, the authorities at KATH are yet to announce a timeline for the full restoration of services, while patients, healthcare workers, and government officials await a resolution to the impasse.
