Doctors, nurses, and midwives at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) are expected to call off their strike following what has been described as a successful intervention by Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene.
The breakthrough was reached after a high-level meeting on Sunday, June 7, involving the leadership of the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association, the Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Medical Association, and representatives of nurses and midwives.
Speaking after the meeting, Dr. Amoakohene disclosed that discussions had yielded a positive outcome and expressed optimism that healthcare services at the facility would soon return to normal.
“The meeting was successful, and the leadership of the various associations will communicate the details and outcomes to their members and the public,” he said.
The strike was triggered by the suspension of KATH Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Paa Kwasi Baidoo, by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.
The decision followed controversy surrounding a directive to temporarily halt new admissions at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit due to severe congestion.
Doctors at the hospital began industrial action on Saturday, June 6, in protest against the suspension. The situation escalated when nurses and midwives joined the strike, demanding the reinstatement of the CEO.
Dr. Amoakohene noted that the meeting also focused on addressing the growing pressure on KATH, one of the country’s largest referral hospitals. He revealed plans to accelerate the operationalisation of the Afari, Trede, Oforikrom, and Sewua hospitals to reduce the burden on the facility.
The meeting was attended by the Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service and other key stakeholders. The suspended KATH CEO was not present but was represented by a member of the hospital’s staff.
Leaders of the doctors, nurses, and midwives associations indicated that they would first meet with their members to present the outcome of the discussions before issuing an official statement on whether the strike will be called off.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
