Tamale Teaching Hospital Staff Refuse To End Strike

Striking health professionals at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), have refused to back down their protest in solidarity with the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. David Zaawumya Kolbila who was chased out by some pro-New Patriotic Party (NPP) youth groups.

A meeting between the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and leadership of the striking staff today [Wednesday], was inconclusive.

They have vowed never to rescind their decision until the perpetrators are brought to book, although their CEO has returned to work through the effort of REGSEC.

They emphasized the need to establish a permanent police post at the hospital premises.

They also insisted that the perpetrators should render an unqualified apology to the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kolbila.

They further added that the perpetrators must be immediately arrested and put before court.

In an earlier petition declaring the strike, the leadership made reference to previous attacks on former CEOs including Dr. Nsiah Asare, Dr. Tapang, Dr. Kenneth Sagoe and the immediate former CEO, Dr. Prosper Akambong, who was prematurely dismissed following similar agitations in 2017.

The spokesperson for the Tamale Teaching Hospital Chapter of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, Mohammed Ibn Issaka, earlier in a Citi News interview said, “As Nurses and Midwives of the hospital, we no longer feel safe working in the hospital in view of what happened on 13/08/18. If the CEO who is the landlord of the hospital could be manhandled in this manner, then we must take serious cover before these lawless persons turn on us.”

After the meeting, Chairman of the REGSEC, Salifu Sa-eed told the media that the striking staff would be persuaded to return to work.

“Much as they want their security to be assured, the doctors should also be concerned about the morale and humanity of their job.”

Salifu Sa-eed reassured them that the perpetrators will soon be arrested and prosecuted.

He added that a permanent security post will be activated at the hospital premises to guarantee adequate security.