By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has confirmed the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Dr. Adam Atiku. The decision takes immediate effect.
Speaking on Joy FM’s NewsNight on Tuesday evening, Mr. Akandoh said a formal letter had already been sent to inform Dr. Atiku of his removal.
“We have thanked him for his services. We believe it’s time for someone else to take over as CEO. He has been sacked with immediate effect,” the Minister stated.
When asked if Dr. Atiku had accepted the decision or planned to challenge it, Mr. Akandoh replied, “I don’t know yet.”
The Minister explained that the dismissal was not solely because of a recent incident at the hospital. He also noted that the appointing authority does not need to explain decisions about hiring or firing.
This move comes after a controversial death at the hospital on Sunday, which raised serious concerns. The Minister visited the facility on Tuesday to better understand what happened.
During his tour, Mr. Akandoh said he was troubled by how a doctor explained the incident. He found the doctor’s comments insensitive and felt they lacked an understanding of the seriousness of the matter.
“When a life is lost, it is very important we all show concern, especially when people believe it could have been avoided,” he said.
The Minister also expressed disappointment over how the hospital is managing its equipment and resources. He criticized the staff for failing to maintain or replace government-supplied medical tools.
“There were a lot of things I was not happy about. Equipment purchased by the government is being left unused because it hasn’t been maintained or replaced,” he added.
A committee has been set up to investigate the recent death and other issues at the hospital. Meanwhile, the public awaits the outcome of the investigation and the appointment of a new CEO.
BACKGROUND
The deceased, Bavug Salim, was rushed to the red zone of the Emergency Ward of the hospital in an unconscious state, but was allegedly left unattended for several hours for unexplained reasons, resulting in his death.
The unfortunate event sparked public outcry in the Tamale metropolis and on social media, with many calling for swift investigations into the matter.
In response to the incident, the minister has set up a three-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the patient. The committee is expected to present its report within two weeks.
