Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has asked doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital to call off their ongoing strike action.
The minister, reacting to the fallout of his unannounced visit to the facility which led to the dismissal of the chief executive officer, said he had no intention of disrespecting medical professionals during the encounter.
He was at the facility following the death of a patient, Bavug Salim, allegedly due to the lack of a functional ventilator at the hospital’s emergency unit.
A video of a heated exchange between Akandoh and Dr Valentine Akwulpwa, Head of the Accident and Emergency Department, went viral on social media.
The doctors through their association suspended all emergency, OPD and other related services at the hospital, demanding an apology from the minister.
But reacting to these concerns, the minister said he meant no disrespect to the doctors.
He also recounted a personal experience he had which saw him admitted at Nhyinahini Hospital, a facility he had no idea he would one day visit for medical care.
“It can happen to anybody; it happened to me. When I had an accident, the first place I was rushed to was Nyinahini District Hospital. I never imagined that I would one day be at Nyinahini District Hospital, but I was there,” he said.
“And so, today, from where I sit, I will contribute my quota to the development of this sector. I have absolutely no intention to disrespect any medical doctor or health worker; that will be the last thing I will do. But let it be said that respect is reciprocal.”
“There are some of the things we can do with our internally generated funds, so please, let us confront the issues as they are,” he added.
“My humble appeal to the medical doctors and health practitioners at Tamale Teaching Hospital is that I am the first person to take care of your interests. Therefore, let us call off the strike, and let us all regroup and strategise the way forward.’’
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
