KATH Doctors’ Strike Continues as Ministry of Health Statement Derails Negotiations – KADA President
The President of the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association (KADA), Dr Michael Leat, has revealed that doctors were close to calling off their ongoing strike at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) following a meeting with the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, but a statement from the Ministry of Health worsened tensions and stalled progress.
According to Dr Leat, discussions with the Regional Minister had been positive, raising hopes that the industrial action could soon be suspended.
However, he said the situation deteriorated after the Ministry of Health issued a public statement defending the suspension of the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo.
In its statement issued on Sunday, June 7, the Ministry described the doctors’ and nurses’ strike as “unfortunate” and maintained that the CEO’s suspension was a necessary administrative decision in the interest of accountability, patient safety, and adherence to health sector procedures.
Speaking to Citi News, Dr Leat said the timing and tone of the Ministry’s statement angered striking doctors and forced the meeting to end abruptly.
“The strike was a decision taken by a group and so we presented it to them and in the course of our discussion to see the next step, we saw a release from the Minister for Health which threw off the discussion. In fact people were angry and we had to end the meeting. As it stands we are still on strike,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene had earlier indicated that a positive resolution had been reached during a meeting with leadership of doctors, nurses and midwives aimed at ending the strike.
The industrial action began on Saturday, June 6, following the suspension of the hospital’s CEO by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, after management temporarily halted new admissions at the Accident and Emergency Unit due to severe congestion.
The strike was later joined by the KATH chapter of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), significantly disrupting services at one of Ghana’s largest referral hospitals.
Editor:
Obiri-Yeboah
