Doctors at TTH halt services, cite hostility from minister and MP

Doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) have suspended emergency and outpatient services. They cite “unwarranted attacks” by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and MP Alhassan Suhuyini. This occurred during a recent visit to the hospital.

The decision was made at an emergency meeting of the Doctors’ Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH) on April 23.

The suspension affects general outpatient, antenatal, specialist, and pediatric services. However, inpatient care will continue until current patients are discharged.

The doctors demand public apologies from the Minister and the MP. These apologies should be directed to Dr. Valentine Akwulpwa and the Accident and Emergency Unit staff.

Additionally, the association has submitted a list of urgent needs to hospital management. These include:

- Basic clinical supplies like gloves, gauze, masks, syringes, and disinfectants.
- Reliable access to water and electricity.
- Continuous oxygen supply.
- Ventilators, transport incubators, and lab reagents.
- Repair of essential equipment such as autoclave machines.
- Long-term tools like MRI and CT scan machines.

The association also criticized some media outlets for biased coverage. They stated they would disengage from these platforms unless public corrections are made.