Medical doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have commenced an indefinite withdrawal of services in protest against the suspension of the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo.
The decision was announced by the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association (KADA) following an emergency meeting held on Thursday, June 5, 2026, to assess recent developments at the facility, particularly persistent congestion at the Emergency Department and the subsequent suspension of the CEO.
In a formal statement addressed to the Chairman of the KATH Board, the association expressed concern that management actions aimed at addressing severe patient overcrowding and ensuring safe healthcare delivery had instead led to disciplinary action against the hospital’s chief executive.
According to the doctors, the temporary suspension of new emergency admissions and coordination with nearby health facilities were necessary measures taken to avert avoidable deaths and protect patient safety amid overwhelming capacity constraints.
KADA noted that KATH, the main tertiary referral hospital serving the middle and northern sectors of Ghana, continues to struggle with serious infrastructural and capacity challenges despite a steadily growing patient population.
The association argued that the current situation is a manifestation of longstanding systemic weaknesses within Ghana’s healthcare system, stressing that the crisis requires urgent policy and infrastructure interventions rather than punitive actions against administrators attempting to manage the pressure.
Following deliberations, members unanimously condemned the suspension of the CEO, warning that the decision would fail to address the hospital’s core challenges and could undermine ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
As a result, KADA resolved to commence a total withdrawal of services by all medical doctors at KATH, effective 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The doctors stated that the strike action will remain in force until several demands are met, chief among them the immediate review and reversal of the suspension of the Chief Executive Officer.
The association is also calling on the KATH Board to establish clear and well-defined policies to guide decision-making when the hospital’s emergency capacity is exceeded.
Additionally, KADA is urging the Ministry of Health to provide clear timelines for the operationalisation of Sewua Hospital and Afari Military Hospital, as well as timelines for the retooling of KATH and other health facilities across the Ashanti Region to ease pressure on the hospital.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
