Logo of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH)
The Doctors Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH) has warned against the unjust condemnation of health workers by authorities in response to poor outcomes.
According to the association, if health workers are not adequately equipped and provided with the necessary tools to ensure the effective delivery of their services, yet are held accountable and blamed for poor outcomes, they will be compelled to reconsider their options.
“We wish to state unequivocally that if the current trend where basic requirements for health care are unavailable, only for health personnel to be vilified for poor outcomes, we will advise ourselves and take actions that may not guarantee industrial harmony,” this was contained in press statement dated Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
The association also expressed its concerns regarding the public confrontation between Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and Dr Valentine Akwulpwa, a staff member of the medical facility, during the minister’s visit.
They deemed the minister’s public interrogation of Dr Akwulpwa, the Head of the Accident and Emergency Department at the facility, as ‘inappropriate’.
The association asserted that the reports widely circulated in the media do not accurately reflect the events that took place on the ground, stating that the facts have been misrepresented in a way that seeks to damage the reputation of the doctor.
While disputing certain information being circulated, the statement clarified the facts on the ground, confirming that verbal exchanges occurred when Dr Akwulpwa attempted to explain the circumstances surrounding the death of a patient and the challenges faced by the hospital.
“Our colleague who is the Head of Department for the Accident and Emergency in his interaction with the honorable minister was asked about the management of a patient who was referred from another facility to the Tamale Teaching Hospital for management. In his attempt to explain the condition of the patient and the challenges encountered in his management, the discussion degenerated and led to some verbal exchanges,” it said.
It added; “We would like to state that our colleague has worked tirelessly to support patient care at the accident and emergency and has always discharged his duties professionally and diligently.”
Meanwhile, the DATTH has stated that a committee has been established by the facility to investigate and probe the matter.
Read the full statement below:
MAG/AE
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