By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey, GNA
Accra, June 7, GNA– The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called for the immediate cancelation of the directive issued by the Minister of Health, Mr Kwabena Minta Akandoh, to suspend the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
The Association, in a statement issued on Sunday and jointly signed by Prof. Dr Ernest Yorke, President of the GMA, and Dr Richard Selormey, General Secretary, described the action as unjustified and without basis.
The Association said the management of KATH acted appropriately and professionally in implementing measures to address congestion at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Centre to ensure patient safety.
The statement issued by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the GMA after an emergency meeting said the decision by KATH management to temporarily redirect some patients to nearby health facilities was consistent with best practices in healthcare leadership and patient safety.
“The actions taken did not turn away patients to their fate or flout the President’s directive, but rather redirected patients and ensured they received safe and timely care at nearby hospitals with support from specialists from KATH,” the statement said.
According to the Association, the coordinated efforts involving the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, the Regional Coordinating Council, health facilities, and health workers resulted in a significant decongestion of the emergency centre and enabled the resumption of new admissions within 24 hours.
The NEC said it considered both the initial query issued to the CEO and the subsequent directive for his suspension as unwarranted.
“We therefore call for an immediate withdrawal of the directive to the Board of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital to suspend the CEO and for his immediate reinstatement within the next three working days,” the statement noted.
The GMA also declared its full support for the decision by the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association (KADA) to suspend services until the suspension is withdrawn and measures are implemented to improve emergency care capacity in the Kumasi enclave.
The Association acknowledged ongoing engagements between the KATH Board and the leadership of KADA aimed at resolving the impasse.
The NEC further expressed dissatisfaction at the actions of the Minister of Health which it said had directly or indirectly incited the public against health workers.
It warned that such actions were contributing to declining morale among health professionals and increasing incidents of violence against healthcare workers.
The GMA urged the Minister to adopt a more constructive approach in engaging health workers to support efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
“If such acts continue, the Association and its members will have no choice but to take remedial actions to ensure the sector does not degenerate into chaos,” the statement cautioned.
The Association called on its members to remain calm while it explored avenues for resolving the matter, adding that the NEC would continue to monitor developments and communicate its next course of action.
GNA
Reporter: Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey
Email: [email protected]
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong