Patients stranded as doctors, nurses refuse to see new patients over KATH CEO suspension

Hundreds of patients have been left stranded at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi as doctors and nurses, on a strike action, stayed away from their posts on Monday in protest against the suspension of the hospital's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo.

The Out-Patients Department (OPD), usually one of the busiest sections of the facility, was virtually empty as of noon on Monday, June 8, 2026, with no meaningful health activity taking place.

Visibly distressed patients and their relatives were left with little guidance.

Patients who had scheduled appointments to see their doctors for review were turned away and asked to return on a later date, while first-time visitors to the facility were directed to seek healthcare at nearby health facilities.

A particularly distressing situation involved patients who had not received prior information about the strike and had travelled from distant locations, including other regions, only to be turned away upon arrival at the hospital.

Despite the industrial action, in-patients at the wards and critically ill patients are being provided with care.

The strike follows the suspension of Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, the Chief Executive Officer of KATH by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, a decision that has drawn sharp condemnation from doctors and nurses at the facility who described the action as unfair and unwarranted.

The National Labour Commission has since directed the striking health workers to call off the action and has summoned all parties to a hearing on June 10, 2026, as efforts to resolve the impasse continue.

GNA