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Doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) have indefinitely suspended all emergency and outpatient services, citing what they describe as “unwarranted attacks” by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and Tamale North Member of Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, April 23, followed an emergency general assembly meeting of the Doctors’ Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH). It came in the wake of an incident during the Health Minister’s visit to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit on Tuesday, which the doctors say sparked disrespectful and hostile treatment toward medical personnel.
“All members of DATTH have proceeded on an indefinite suspension of all emergency and outpatient services (General OPD, Antenatal clinic, Specialist clinic, Paediatrics OPD),” the Association announced in a statement.
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The suspension does not affect inpatient care, which will continue until all admitted patients are safely discharged.
At the core of the doctors’ demands is an unconditional apology from both the Health Minister and the Tamale North MP. They want apologies directed specifically to Dr. Valentine Akwulpwa, the medical staff at TTH, and especially those working in the Accident and Emergency Department, who they say bore the brunt of the alleged verbal assault and intimidation.
“We shall resume provision of emergency and outpatient services after we receive appropriate apologies,” the Association stated.
Beyond the immediate issue of political interference, DATTH also used the moment to spotlight critical logistical and infrastructural deficiencies at the hospital. The group presented a comprehensive list of needs to management, highlighting long-standing issues such as irregular water supply, unstable electricity, inconsistent oxygen provision, and lack of essential medical consumables including gloves, gauze, face masks, syringes, cannulae, and disinfectants.
They are also demanding the consistent availability of laboratory reagents, monitors for vital signs, transport incubators, ventilators, and repairs to broken hospital equipment such as autoclave machines.
For long-term improvements, the doctors are requesting essential diagnostic and critical care tools. These include a helium-free MRI machine, CT scan with infusion pump, mammography and fluoroscopy units, C-arm machines, ABG analyzers, and mobile X-ray systems.
DATTH stressed that the working environment at TTH must be safe and free from external interference. They also expressed disappointment with sections of the media, accusing some outlets of biased reporting and misrepresentation of recent events. As a result, they announced a temporary boycott of those media houses until public apologies are issued.
While the Association affirmed its willingness to continue dialogue with hospital leadership and relevant stakeholders, it warned of further action if its concerns are not addressed promptly and seriously.
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