The Ministry of Health has appealed to doctors and nurses at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to reconsider their strike action and return to work in the interest of patients and the general population.
The Ministry explained that the recent decision taken by the sector minister was supposed to be in the interest of institutional accountability, patient safety, and the need to uphold administrative discipline within the health sector and not adversarial towards health workers.
“It is important to place on record that the suspension arose from the public announcement of cessation of admission into the Accident and Emergency unit, which is inconsistent with the directive of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana regarding access to emergency healthcare services,” a statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry said.
“For the avoidance of doubt this has nothing to do with the internal arrangements agreed between the hospital and the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate.
“Further, he was suspended from the administrative head of the hospital (CEO) and not as a Medical Officer of the hospital.”
The Ministry, therefore, expressed surprise about the turn of events at the hospital.
It insisted that the decision was “an administrative measure intended to facilitate an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the closure and provide remedies going forward”.
Recounting some key interventions in the health sector, the Ministry’s statement assured of engaging the doctors and nurses to rescind their decision.
“The Ministry of Health remains committed to protecting the interests of patients while ensuring a safe and conducive working environment for all health workers.
“We therefore urge all affected staff to reconsider their decision and return to work in the interest of patients and the general population.”