By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey, GNA
Accra, Feb. 21, GNA – Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health, has directed that no health professional should be found on duty without proper identification as part of measures to strengthen security and accountability across health facilities.
The directive follows public concern over baby theft and patient safety, including a recent incident at the Mamprobi Hospital.
During a visit to the hospital, Mr Mintah Akandoh said wearing a name tag was mandatory and warned that heads of health facilities who failed to enforce the directive would be sanctioned should incidents occur.
He said all health facilities were required to install and maintain functional CCTV cameras, stressing: “Facilities will no longer be excused for non-compliance.”
The Minister further directed that customer service points must be clearly marked, with telephone numbers and suggestion boxes displayed at strategic locations to enhance complaints’ handling and rapid response.
“In addition, every health facility must maintain a working relationship with the nearest police station to enable routine patrols and swift responses to emergencies,” he said.
On preventing baby swaps and theft, Mr Mintah Akandoh said identification tags for mothers and newborns must be worn throughout their stay and could only be removed at the security gate upon discharge after clearance procedures.
He also instructed that health facilities should not have bare red soil within their premises, adding that areas must be paved, tiled or landscaped with grass and flowers to improve hygiene and aesthetics.
The Minister assured the public that investigations into the Mamprobi incident were ongoing, noting that some hospital staff had been invited by the police to assist.
“Inquiries are still ongoing. It will be prejudicial to pre-empt the outcome of investigations, but sanctions will be guided strictly by the findings,” he said.
On February 17, 2026, a 33-year-old woman, Latifa Salifu, posed as a nurse at the Mamprobi Hospital and stole a four-day-old baby boy.
The baby was recovered the following day, and Madam Salifu has since been remanded by the Circuit Court at the Police Headquarters while investigations continue.
During a visit to the baby and his mother at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Mr Mintah Akandoh assured the parents of government support throughout the investigative process.
He told journalists that both parents confirmed the recovered baby was theirs. “Although DNA testing was discussed as part of the investigative process, the parents indicated they were comfortable proceeding without it.
The father explained that he examined the baby at birth and was confident it was the same child,” he said.
Mr Mintah Akandoh confirmed that the baby was receiving treatment and responding well.
“Medically, the baby initially presented with jaundice, which was successfully treated. Following recovery, an infection was detected but has since been managed and cleared. The baby is now stable and healthy,” he said.
The Minister said the administrative aspects of the investigations were being handled by the Ghana Health Service, while the criminal investigation was being conducted by the Ghana Police Service with oversight from the Ministry of Health.
He said official updates would be issued once investigations were concluded.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey