Patients Stranded at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital OPD as Staff Protest CEO Suspension
Hundreds of patients have been left stranded at the Out-Patient Department (OPD) of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) after doctors and nurses refused to attend to new cases in protest over the suspension of the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer.
The action has caused widespread disruption at one of Ghana’s largest referral facilities, leaving many patients and their relatives in distress as they struggle to access medical care.
The protest follows the Ministry of Health’s decision to suspend the CEO for two weeks to allow for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the temporary closure of the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Centre.
In a statement, the Ministry defended the suspension as an administrative step aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency regarding the shutdown of the 37-bed emergency facility.
The Ministry has appealed to health professionals at KATH to return to duty immediately, warning that the ongoing disruption is seriously affecting vulnerable patients who rely on the hospital for critical care.
However, doctors and nurses are maintaining their position, resulting in long queues and confusion at the OPD, according to reports from Joy News.
The Health Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress (TUC-Ghana), KATH branch, has thrown its support behind the striking staff, further complicating efforts to restore normal services.
The standoff comes amid growing tension over the CEO’s suspension, which was triggered by the temporary closure of the Accident and Emergency Centre due to congestion and operational challenges.
Authorities are yet to indicate when full services will resume as pressure builds on all parties to resolve the impasse and restore healthcare delivery at the facility.
