Dr Atik Adam (2nd from right), former CEO of TTH, explaining issues to Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (right), Minister of Health, during the visit
President of Ghana, John Mahama, has dismissed the Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Dr Atiku Adam, following reports of mismanagment and medical negligence that resulted in the death of a patient at the hospital.
The decision comes few hours after the country’s Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, paid an unannounced visit to the facility in Tamale on Tuesday to assess the situation at the refferal hospital.
Akandoh expressed dissatisfaction with the deteriorating state of healthcare delivery at the facility with several essential medical equipment reportedly non-functional.
According to Graphic, the Minister discovered what he described as “disturbing conditions” of the hospital, such as broken-down medical equipment, unsanitary washrooms and general mismanagement of the hospital’s infrastructure.
Some of the equipment had broken down for about six years now, compelling patients to resort to private facilities for services at exorbitant fees.
Akandoh chastised the management and described the situation as “unacceptable and disgraceful,” particularly for a premier referral facility serving the entire Northern Ghana and beyond.
Negligence
The visit was to assess the current state of the facility and also obtain first-hand information regarding an alleged medical negligence that resulted in the death of a patient who was referred to the facility a few weeks ago.
The deceased, Bavug Salim, was rushed to the red zone of the Emergency Ward of the hospital in an unconscious state, but was allegedly left unattended for several hours for unexplained reasons, resulting in his death.
The unfortunate event sparked public outcry in the Tamale metropolis and on social media, with many calling for swift investigations into the matter.
In response to the incident, the Minister has set up a three-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the patient.
The committee is expected to present its report within two weeks.
Mismanagement
Akandoh further expressed disappointment over the deplorable state of the facility and said patients deserved better.
“I must admit that the health workers are not working under an ideal situation. Irrespective of that, health professionals need to be tolerant, approachable and respectful to patients.
“Don’t let people assume that you don’t care about human lives,” he said.
The Minister directed the management to fix all broken-down equipment to enhance service delivery, stressing “it is quite disheartening to hear that equipment such as CT scan and MRI have been down for about six years without maintenance”.
While urging the committee to work diligently to unravel the circumstances that resulted in the death of Salim, Akandoh called on all stakeholders to show interest in the operations of the facility.
Response
Responding to the concerns, the Chief Executive Officer of TTH, Dr Atik Adam, said efforts were underway to address some of the issues that were impeding service delivery.
On the death of the young man, he said management had already set up a committee to investigate the circumstances under which he died. – G
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