The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti regional communications director, Paul Kwabena Ntim, has blamed the absence of Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene while accompanying his wife to the United States for the delivery of their baby, contributed to the KATH doctors’ strike.
Addressing a press conference in Kumasi, the NPP communications director said the strike could have been prevented if the Regional Minister, who is also a medical practitioner, had been present in the region to intervene and calm tensions.
According to him, concerns were raised after patients seeking medical care at KATH were reportedly turned away due to challenges at the facility.
He said inquiries into the situation revealed that the hospital had exhausted available options and could no longer accommodate additional patients.
Paul Yandoh stated that his team had hoped to engage Dr. Amoakohene on the matter, only to learn that he had travelled abroad.
He claimed the minister had accompanied his wife overseas for childbirth, questioning the decision to leave the region during a period of crisis.
He further criticized the Minister of Health’s decision to suspend the Chief Executive Officer of KATH, Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo, describing the move as ill-timed and counterproductive.
“In the midst of a crisis, you do not worsen the situation. You rather seek amicable solutions to the problem instead of taking harsh decisions,” he said.
He argued that the suspension contributed to growing discontent among healthcare workers, leading to industrial action by doctors and nurses, with patients bearing the brunt of the situation.
He called on the government to prioritize the welfare of patients and work toward resolving the impasse through dialogue rather than what he described as politically motivated actions.
The NPP Ashanti communications director also urged the government to operationalize several hospital projects initiated under the previous administration.
He cited health facilities in Trede, Afari Military Hopspitals and the Sewua Regional Hospital as examples of completed projects that could help ease pressure on healthcare delivery in the Ashanti Region.
He dismissed claims that some of the facilities were commissioned without essential utilities, insisting that completed hospitals should be put to immediate use to improve healthcare access.
Mr. Nyandoh maintained that strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring effective leadership during emergencies remain critical to addressing challenges facing the sector.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
