Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has called on striking doctors at Tamale Teaching Hospital to resume negotiations, as their industrial action enters a critical phase threatening healthcare delivery in northern Ghana.
The appeal comes after physicians suspended all emergency and outpatient services indefinitely, citing deteriorating working conditions and inadequate equipment.
The Doctors Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital outlined 27 specific demands ranging from basic medical supplies to advanced equipment, painting a stark picture of the facility’s challenges. Their list includes urgent needs like continuous water supply, stable electricity, oxygen availability, and basic consumables, alongside longer-term requirements for specialized equipment including MRI and CT scanners.
Minister Akandoh, addressing journalists in Accra, emphasized his commitment to resolving the impasse. “I am the first person to take care of your interests,” he stated, urging doctors to return to work while discussions continue. The minister suggested some solutions could be funded through the hospital’s internal resources, though this proposal appears unlikely to address the comprehensive systemic issues raised by medical staff.
Beyond equipment shortages, the dispute carries personal dimensions. Doctors demand formal apologies from both the health minister and Tamale North MP Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini for perceived disrespect during a recent hospital visit. They have also challenged media outlets to retract what they describe as biased reporting of the incident.
The standoff highlights the growing tension between healthcare professionals and administrators in Ghana’s northern regions, where resource gaps remain pronounced despite being home to critical referral centers.
While inpatient care continues for existing admissions, the suspension of emergency services raises concerns about potential health consequences for the broader community.
This confrontation mirrors similar challenges faced by tertiary hospitals across the country, where aging infrastructure and equipment shortages routinely collide with increasing patient loads. The detailed nature of the doctors’ demands suggests careful documentation of systemic failures rather than spontaneous labor action.
As both sides position themselves for negotiations, the outcome may set important precedents for addressing healthcare resource allocation nationwide. With lives potentially hanging in the balance, observers hope for swift resolution that addresses both immediate concerns and underlying structural deficiencies in Ghana’s healthcare system.
