KATH CEO admitted, apologised to me for closing emergency unit – Health Minister

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has defended his suspension of the Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, insisting that no public health facility has the authority to disregard a policy directive issued by President John Dramani Mahama.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr. Akandoh said the President had issued a clear directive that emergency cases must not be turned away by any health facility under any circumstance.

“The President issued a policy direction in the health sector that no facility should turn away emergency cases,” he stated.

He explained that the directive forms part of government policy and is therefore binding on all public health institutions.

“When the President speaks, it’s a policy that the Minister must implement,” he added.

Mr. Akandoh said the issue arose after KATH announced a suspension of emergency admissions, a move he described as inconsistent with the President’s instructions.

“A press statement was issued to the public indicating that the accident and emergency unit was closed and no more patients could come there,” he noted.

According to him, he later invited Dr. Baidoo for discussions to clarify the situation.

“I invited the CEO and inquired whether what he had done was not contrary to the position of the President,” he told Parliament.

The Minister further revealed that the CEO acknowledged the concerns raised and apologised during the meeting.

“The man admitted and apologised before me and other officers,” he said.