Doctors at Tamale Teaching Hospital, under the Doctors’ Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH), declared an indefinite suspension of emergency and outpatient services (including General OPD, Antenatal, Specialist, and Paediatric clinics) effective April 23, 2025
Inpatient care however continues for currently admitted patients until discharge
The action follows a confrontation during an unannounced visit by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Tamale North MP Alhassan Suhuyini on April 22.
During the visit, the minister criticized hospital conditions, leading to an altercation with Dr. Valentine Akwulpwa, Head of the Accident and Emergency Department.
Doctors have demanded unconditional apologies from the minister and MP for perceived disrespect, directed to Dr. Akwulpwa and all hospital staff
CEO Dismissal
President Mahama replaced TTH’s CEO, Dr. Atiku Adam, amid allegations of mismanagement linked to a patient’s death. The dismissal has been linked to the altercation between the Minister, his entourage and the Medical doctor in charge of the emergency unit, though Hon Suhuyini has denied any linkage between the altercation and the dismissal.
The dismissal was swiftly followed by the strike action by the Doctors. The physicians have demanded Safety Assurance and have warned they will withdraw from “hostile environments” if threatened
Poor Working Conditions
Doctors cite chronic shortages of water, electricity, oxygen, and basic supplies (gloves, syringes, lab reagents).
Broken or missing critical equipment, including ventilators, autoclave machines, and diagnostic tools (MRI, CT scans)—some non-functional for years. These and other reasons have been given by the doctors as poor working conditions contributing to the strike action.
Additionally, doctors have demanded good working conditions and advanced equipment like helium-free MRI machines, CT scans with infusion pumps, and mobile X-ray units.
Other conditions include stable utilities, oxygen, consumables, and repairs to sterilizers and monitors
Meanwhile, DATTH has accused some media outlets of biased coverage of the minister’s visit and demanded retractions.
Regional Impact
TTH is the sole tertiary facility in Northern Ghana, serving five regions. Alternatives lack capacity for specialized care. Hence, the suspension will disrupt critical healthcare access in northern Ghana, highlighting systemic challenges in resource allocation and governance.
