Patients at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi are facing uncertainty and distress as doctors have initiated an industrial action today, Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
The strike, prompted by accommodation grievances, has left many patients without crucial medical attention. The situation underscores the pressing need for swift resolution as patients grapple with the impact of the strike on their health and well-being.
Metro TV’s Ashanti Regional Correspondent, Abdul Basit Suleiman reports that many of the patients who had travelled from afar to seek medical care were greeted with the absence of doctors.
He said patients who had an appointment with doctors together with those attending for review, have all been left wondering about their next move.
20 doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital had earlier on Tuesday, March 11, 2024, in a statement indicated their intention to embark on an indefinite strike over what leadership describes as harassment and persistent orders to move out of their Danyame residences.
The doctors listed the number of times that the said private developer threatened to demolish the buildings housing the specialist doctors.
On Wednesday, March 12, 2024, the doctors carried out their threat by deserting the theatres, a situation that is hitting hard on people seeking health care.
The strike action which is said to have the backing of the Ghana Medical Association, affects new admissions and OPD care delivery as well.
While complaining of unfair treatment, the doctors said they were allegedly given a week ultimatum by the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council to vacate their residences, while saying the agreement between them and the Manhyia Palace for new accommodations before the handover of the bungalows land had been disregarded.
Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah has debunked claims of a week ultimatum as stated by the doctors in their earlier letter to the management of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
The minister insisted that there was an agreement with the contractors to rent apartments for the affected doctors to move into before commencing the intended project on the said parcel of land, an accommodation facility for government workers in the Nhyiaeso and Danyame enclave.
Meanwhile, people who visited the hospital this morning to seek medical treatment were left and have to look elsewhere or return home.
Some of the patients who spoke to our reporter claimed they were not aware of today’s strike.
By: Bright Yao Dzakah |Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
