The industrial dispute at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has intensified after nurses and midwives announced they would join the ongoing strike action by doctors unless the suspension of the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, is immediately reversed. The development raises concerns about healthcare delivery at one of Ghana’s most important referral hospitals, which serves millions of people across the Ashanti Region and northern parts of the country.
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) at KATH declared that its members would support the industrial action following the Health Minister’s decision to suspend Dr. Baidoo for two weeks. According to the association, the suspension fails to address the real challenges facing the hospital, including overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient logistics, and limited resources.
In a statement, the nurses and midwives argued that the suspension was “unnecessary” and would not solve the operational difficulties confronting the facility. They maintained that patient safety and quality healthcare depend on addressing systemic problems rather than removing the hospital’s chief administrator.
The controversy stems from a decision by KATH management to temporarily halt some emergency admissions because of severe congestion at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department. Hospital authorities said the measure was intended to protect patients and healthcare workers amid mounting pressure on the facility. However, the action sparked public debate and prompted intervention from the Ministry of Health.
Following the suspension, doctors at KATH, under the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association (KADA), announced an indefinite withdrawal of services. The doctors described the minister’s directive as unjustified and argued that management’s actions were aimed at safeguarding patient care during an extraordinary operational challenge.
The doctors insist that the temporary restriction on emergency admissions was a necessary clinical and administrative response to unprecedented overcrowding. They contend that management acted responsibly by coordinating with surrounding health facilities and implementing measures designed to prevent avoidable deaths and preserve patient safety.
The GRNMA echoed similar concerns, stressing that healthcare workers on the frontline experience the effects of congestion daily and understand the pressures confronting the institution. The association called on government to prioritize the operationalization of other health facilities that could help reduce the patient burden on KATH. It also urged authorities to invest in infrastructure expansion, equipment upgrades, and improved resource allocation to strengthen healthcare delivery.
The nurses further demanded the immediate withdrawal of the suspension and argued that Dr. Baidoo should be allowed to continue managing the hospital while long-term solutions are pursued. They believe stability in leadership is necessary to tackle operational challenges and support healthcare workers who are already under immense pressure.
KATH remains Ghana’s second-largest teaching hospital and a critical referral centre with approximately 1,000 beds. The facility plays a vital role in specialist healthcare, medical education, and emergency services, making any disruption to operations a matter of national concern.
The strike action has already generated anxiety among patients and families who depend on the hospital’s services. Reports indicate that some patients have been affected by the withdrawal of services, while health sector observers warn that prolonged industrial action could place additional strain on healthcare facilities across the Ashanti Region.
As tensions continue to rise, both doctors and nurses are calling on the KATH Board and the Ministry of Health to engage in dialogue and reverse decisions they believe are worsening the situation. The coming days are expected to be crucial in determining whether the dispute can be resolved before it significantly disrupts healthcare delivery at one of Ghana’s most important medical institutions.
Labour Minister urges CLOGSAG to suspend strike, promises government action