The Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has joined several other Ghanaians in condemning actions leading to the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) Dr. Atiku Adam by the Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh. He described the Minister’s action as “arbitrary and capricious” that ignored the authority of the hospital’s board. Speaking to journalists after a tour of some healthcare facilities in the Ashanti Region, Mr. Akwasi Acquah disagreed with the Minister’s assertion that the appointing authority does not have to consult TTH board in order to terminate appointment of a medical officer. According to him, medical officers appointed by the state to public health facilities are public servants working in the interest of all Ghanaians therefore it is not right procedure to bypass the hospital’s Board of Directors over such a decision.
He said, “The hospital is regulated by a board. That board was enshrined in an act of Parliament and we heard the Minister saying that the appointing authority is not supposed to consult anybody for such a decision. No. I mean, Ghanaians put him there and the medical officer or the medical officers were working for Ghanaians. And so the action to get the CEO sacked is something that we condemn.”
He however demanded that Dr. Adam must be reinstated while allowing the hospital board to carry out its supervisory functions without interference. The dismissal of Dr. Atiku Adam followed an impromptu visit paid on TTH by the Minister of Health Tuesday to assess the state of the hospital after hearing reports of mismanagement and medical negligence that resulted in the death of a patient at hospital. The minister was dissatisfied with the crumbling healthcare delivery at the facility; essential medical equipment in disrepair compelling patients to seek private healthcare at exorbitant fees. Mr. Akandoh on returning to the capital instituted a 3-member committee to investigate circumstances surrounding the death of the patient with a report expected to be delivered within two weeks. He further directed hospital management to repair all equipment which have been broken down for about six years due to lack of maintenance.
Mr. Akwasi Acquah is a member of the parliamentary select-committee on health that is currently embarking on a weeklong tour of regional and teaching hospitals across the country.