Calm has returned to the only referral health facility for the three regions of the North- Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) after a youth group calling itself the Kandahar boys locked up the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Prosper Akambong’s office. The group is said to have close ties with the governing New Patriotic Party.
The CEO office was unlocked by the northern regional minister Mr. Salifu Sa-eed accompanied by the new regional police commander COP Mr. Sarpong Patrick Adusah and other members of the regional security committee. The minister was in the hospital in a bit to restore calm and to assure the management of his support in the discharge their duties without fear or intimidation.
Groups loyal to the governing NPP have made several allegations against the CEO claiming the current management gives government a bad name. They also accused the management of not serving patients well for which reason, the CEO must be sacked.
Briefing the minister, Mr. Akambong commended the security agencies in the region for their effectiveness in handling the issue. Dr. Akambong expressed the hope that the agencies will continue to provide security at the facility.
Dr. Akambong said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Thursday at about 12:00 in the presence of the hospital internal auditor and the chief security officer opened his locked office. He also added that an inventory of his property was taken in the presence of the CID and that management is waiting for a report from the CID.
The minister will be duly informed once management receives the report, Dr Akanbong said. He, however, requested that, the police command let their personnel remain at the facility for a while. Dr Akanbong assured the minister of his outfit’s commitment in providing healthcare to the people.
In another development, he apprised the minister of the challenges confronting the hospital and that if those challenges are addressed, staff will deliver to the expectation of the very one. After listening to management recount the events of the past week, Mr. Saeed called for cool heads to prevail. He said the president is not happy about the unfortunate development at the hospital.
Mr. Saeed assured management and the board of protection to enable them carry out their core mandate of proving quality healthcare to the people within its catchment area. The minister called on all aggrieved groups in the region to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters for redress.
He warned that recalcitrant youth whose actions will compromise the security in the region will be dealt with according to the law. He pleaded with the party youth to bring their problems either through the party leadership and his office instead of engaging in violent acts.
The minister also visited the offices of the National Youth Authority (YEA) office which was also locked by youth loyal to the NPP last month.
No interruption of healthcare service
Checks by Zaa News at the various units of the facility showed personnel busy providing treatment to both in and out patients.