The TTH doctors ended their strike after two days due to the involvement of Yaa Naa Abukari II, Overlord of Dagbon. A top-level group sent by the Yaa Naa and headed by Zangbalun Naa Dr. Yakubu II, Chief of the Zangbalun Traditional Area, met on Friday, April 25th, with the hospital’s management and representatives of DATTH.
According to Joy FM’s Northern Regional Correspondent Martina Bugri, emergency services have resumed at the northern sector’s referral facility following this meeting.
Despite their ongoing work stoppage, the doctors have not relented in their request for an apology from Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh before returning to their duties at the Outpatients Department and other hospital areas.
During the gathering, Zangbalun Naa Dr Yakubu II mentioned:
“As a neutral facilitator, I will convey your concerns to the minister and engage him to take the necessary steps to address your grievances. We implore you to consider the lives hanging in the balance. We urge you in the interim to find a way to ensure the continuity of emergency service. We’re willing to facilitate a meeting with your representatives and the minister to discuss the way forward.”
Dr. Salifu Alhassan Tiah, the hospital’s Director of Pharmacy, implored his colleagues to consider the traditional leader’s involvement on behalf of the hospital.
“I want to appeal to colleagues that, as we are here, if there is any difficulty with our subsistence here, the ultimate place we will go to is his royal Highness, and if he is here, we have nothing to do but to accord this delegation the highest of respect, so we plead that we should all do well to take to heart the word they have for us,” he appealed.
The doctors stopped working, citing a hostile working environment, a shortage of basic medical supplies, and what they perceived as disrespect to their dignity from senior government officials.
The TTH’s CEO, Dr Adam Atiku, was dismissed by the minister due to accusations of mismanagement and medical negligence resulting in a patient’s death. This led to the strike that ensued.
The purpose of the minister’s visit was to evaluate the facility’s present condition and gather direct information regarding the reported negligence that led to the death of a patient who was transferred to the hospital several weeks ago.
Bavug Salim, the deceased, was immediately taken to the red zone of the Emergency Ward when he arrived unconscious. However, there were reports that he was left unattended for several hours without any explanation, ultimately resulting in his passing.
During the visit, Dr Valentine Akwulpwa, a medical officer, attempted to explain the circumstances surrounding the death. However, the minister was unsatisfied with the explanation provided.
The minister was not pleased with the hospital’s overall state and use of resources, which resulted in the CEO’s dismissal.
