Doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) have indefinitely halted emergency and outpatient services following a confrontation with Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Tamale North MP Alhassan Suhuyini.
The decision, taken during an emergency meeting of the Doctors’ Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH) on Wednesday, April 23, comes in response to what medical staff describe as unwarranted hostility during the minister’s visit to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit a day earlier.
In a statement, DATTH declared the suspension of all outpatient services, including general consultations, antenatal care, specialist clinics, and pediatric care. Inpatient services remain unaffected, with doctors continuing to treat already admitted patients until discharge. The association insists the suspension will only be lifted once the Health Minister and MP issue public apologies directed at Dr. Valentine Akwulpwa and the medical staff of the Accident and Emergency Department, who allegedly faced verbal intimidation.
Beyond the immediate demand for accountability, the doctors highlighted systemic challenges plaguing the hospital. They presented a list of urgent needs, ranging from basic medical supplies like gloves, syringes, and disinfectants to critical infrastructure upgrades, including reliable water and electricity, functional oxygen systems, and essential diagnostic equipment such as MRI and CT scan machines. The association also called for repairs to broken autoclave machines and the provision of transport incubators and ventilators.
DATTH further criticized sections of the media for what it termed biased reporting on the incident, announcing a temporary boycott of certain outlets until apologies are issued. While the group expressed openness to further discussions with hospital management and stakeholders, it warned of escalated action if its concerns are not addressed.
The suspension of services at one of northern Ghana’s largest referral hospitals underscores the fragile relationship between healthcare workers and policymakers. Similar disputes over working conditions and political interference have led to service disruptions in other regions, raising questions about long-term solutions to Ghana’s healthcare challenges. The situation at TTH reflects broader systemic issues, including underfunding and logistical gaps, that continue to hinder efficient service delivery in public hospitals.
