Crisis hits Tamale Hospital

Dr Benjamin Kunbuor-Deputy Health Minister

Leadership crisis has hit the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), creating division among the rank and file in the administration of the facility which is already faced with numerous challenges.

While a section of workers is calling for the immediate resignation of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the facility, Dr. Ken Sagoe, for alleged incompetence, inefficiency and misappropriation of hospital funds, another group is on the defensive.  

The new twist to events has brought general management of the hospital to a standstill, adversely affecting the hospital operations.  

A deep-throat source revealed to DAILY GUIDE that the alleged unilateral administrative decisions of the CEO on matters pertaining to general upkeep of the facility were believed to have sparked the division.  

A group calling itself the Concerned Workers claimed the unilateral decisions of the CEO without prior consultation with the appropriate bodies were wrongful, citing as examples, the renovations of certain bungalows and other residential accommodation facilities.  

This, the group noted, was deteriorating the finances of the hospital which is already cash-strapped; disclosing that the nonpayment of bills of the NHIS to the hospital as reported in the media was used as a guise to deceive the populace.   

Mr. Sagoe, the group claimed, had also taken over duties of the procurement officer and allegedly directly engaged his favourites as suppliers.  

Such suppliers were paid earlier and faster each time they supplied goods to the facility, raising suspicions among some senior staff members.  

Wasteful expenditure was also cited as one of the reasons for which the CEO must resign as all these are affecting quality healthcare delivery at the hospital.  

The second group which sings the praises of the CEO has taken a swipe at the concerned group further heightening tension at the facility, and called for the retention of the CEO.  

At a press conference addressed by one Misbao Muhammed, he described the concerned group as selfish individuals pursuing a parochial interest.

He stressed that his group was poised to resisting any attempt to remove the CEO.  

DAILY GUIDE's investigations however uncovered that the CEO has virtually hijacked the daily management of the hospital and signatory to any document that enables the facility to acquire basic equipment.

The more than 10 suppliers of the hospital have all quit except for JY Frimpong from Kumasi, an alleged acquaintance of the CEO.

A source at the hospital stores confirmed that basic working tools are not available, compelling nurses and doctors to resort to other means in the discharge of their duties.  

The Director of Administration, Mr. K.K. Boachie, who was initially hailed by the concerned citizens of Tamale shortly after his assumption of office for giant strides, now seems comatose.

When DAILY GUIDE caught up with him to solicit his comments, he declined to comment but said the people were the best judges on the current state of the facility.  

The Tamale Teaching Hospital which is the only referral hospital in the North was established in 1974 and has not had any major rehabilitation works.  

Its fourth floor has been out of use while crisis keeps hitting the facility due to poor management.

From Stephen Zoure, Tamale