'He should’ve walked away' - CDD Fellow criticises sacked TTH boss for staying despite system failure

Pharmacist Kwame Sarpong Asiedu criticized the former CEO of Tamale Teaching Hospital. He believes the CEO should not have led a failing facility.

Asiedu spoke on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday night. He urged professionals to stop hiding behind titles. They must take a stand against failures in healthcare.

“I struggle to support the sacked CEO,” he stated. He mentioned that many, including himself, have read the relevant report.

He referred to the Health Harmonisation Assessment Report. This report was commissioned by several organizations, including the Government of Ghana and WHO.

The report is part of an assessment for WHO member countries. It revealed that only 5% of consultation rooms had proper diagnostic equipment.

“It’s not me saying it; it is in the report,” Asiedu emphasized.

He accused health leaders of ignoring this alarming data. Instead, they focused on building new hospitals without addressing basic needs.

“We ignored that report and built hospitals instead,” he said.

Asiedu called for health professionals to inform policymakers about these issues. The ultimate decision-makers include the Health Minister.

He criticized “political dishonesty” in the health sector. “We should stop this dishonesty,” he insisted.

Asiedu expressed concern for health professionals who know about these reports but stay in non-functional facilities.

“If you make decisions against what reports say, then walk away,” he declared.

He could not support a CEO who remained despite evidence of unsafe conditions. “I cannot support you if you confront the Minister,” he stated.

“How did you sit down when those reports exist?” he asked.

Asiedu acknowledged that many professionals share this criticism, including himself. He spoke out when those reports were released, urging no one to work under such conditions.

In a candid conversation, Asiedu highlighted that dysfunction in healthcare stems from a lack of courage, not knowledge.

“We have the data,” he said, “but we act like we don’t.” That’s where betrayal lies, according to him.