KATH Crisis Unfortunate, CEO’s Suspension Carefully Considered — Health Ministry
Ministry insists decision was driven by accountability, patient safety and enforcement of presidential directive on emergency healthcare access amid ongoing strike at KATH
- Health Ministry says KATH CEO suspension was necessary for accountability and patient safety
- Doctors and nurses at KATH are on strike over the suspension decision.
- Ministry links action to breach of presidential directive on emergency care access
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has described the ongoing industrial action by doctors and nurses at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) as unfortunate, while strongly defending the suspension of the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo.
In a statement issued on Sunday, June 7, the Ministry emphasized that the decision to suspend the CEO was a carefully considered administrative measure taken in the interest of accountability, patient safety, and strict adherence to established procedures within Ghana’s health sector.
The strike, led by members of the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association and nurses at the hospital, follows the suspension of Dr. Baidoo over alleged non-compliance with administrative protocols relating to the closure of a public health facility.
According to the Ministry, the action taken against the CEO was necessary to uphold discipline and ensure proper governance within the healthcare system, adding that it should not be misinterpreted as arbitrary.
“The decision to suspend the CEO of KATH, who is an appointee of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, was carefully considered and taken in the interest of institutional accountability, patient safety, and the need to uphold administrative discipline within the health sector,” the statement noted.
The Ministry further explained that the suspension was linked to a public announcement regarding the cessation of admissions at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit, which it said contradicted directives from the President concerning uninterrupted access to emergency healthcare services.
“It is important to place on record that the suspension arose from the public announcement of cessation of admission into the Accident and Emergency Unit, which is inconsistent with the directive of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana regarding access to emergency healthcare services,” the Ministry clarified.
The Ministry has urged calm among health workers and stakeholders while assuring that steps are being taken to resolve the situation and restore full operations at the facility.
Meanwhile, the industrial action by doctors and nurses continues to raise concerns over service delivery at one of the country’s leading teaching hospitals.
