The management of the Oncology Department at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ashanti region, has announced an indefinite strike, effective Monday, June 24, 2024. The strike action has left numerous patients who travelled from near and far for treatment at the referral facility stranded.
The staff of the oncology department cited the lack of management commitment to repairing or replacing broken equipment as the reason for the strike. However, Mr. Kwame Frimpong, the public relations director of the facility, stated that management has procured new equipment to retool the department, which is expected to arrive by the end of the week.
He expressed surprise at the strike, as management had kept the oncology department informed of the measures being taken to create a conducive working environment for effective healthcare delivery. The hospital’s board management is currently in a meeting and is expected to meet with the leadership of the striking doctors afterwards.
A member of the striking doctors, who spoke with GHOne TV News on condition of anonymity, said, “We are tired of promises. Our working equipment has been broken down for several years, making our work very difficult. Present and past management have not helped matters in fixing the problem, that’s why we are on strike. We are taking care of patients on admission but are not admitting new cases.”
He explained, “Let me put this on record, the entire Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is working. Every department is very active and busy providing medical treatments to patients. It’s only the Oncology department that is not working. The general public must take note of that.” Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is the second premier referral teaching hospital in Kumasi, serving over 12 regions across the country, including neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/ Isaac Justice Bediako
