Emergency Medicine Society Slams Health Minister over public trial of Tamale Teaching Hospital Staff

The Emergency Medicine Society of Ghana (EMSOG) has expressed deep concern over the manner in which the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, handled a recent mortality case at the Accident and Emergency department of Tamale Teaching Hospital.

In a press release signed by Dr. Daniel Osei-Kwame, President of EMSOG, on Wednesday April 23, 2025, the society regrets the circumstances leading to the death of the patient and extends its sincere condolences to the bereaved family.

However, EMSOG takes issue with the Minister’s public comments, which have led to unwarranted scrutiny and reputational damage to dedicated healthcare professionals.

 According to EMSOG, no audit has been conducted to verify the claims made against the emergency medicine practitioners, undermining the principles of fairness and justice.

The society believes that public officials should exercise caution in their comments to avoid unjustly tarnishing the reputation of healthcare professionals who have been working tirelessly under challenging systemic conditions to save lives.

EMSOG is particularly concerned about the impact of the Minister’s approach on the morale of healthcare workers who are already operating under difficult conditions.

EMSOG has urged the Ministry of Health and the management of Tamale Teaching Hospital to conduct a comprehensive audit to verify the claims and identify areas for improvement.

This, the society believes, will ensure that any actions taken are evidence-based and fair. Furthermore, EMSOG has called for constructive dialogue between the Ministry and relevant stakeholders to address concerns and develop sustainable solutions to emergency care challenges in the country.

The society has also called for measures to support and motivate healthcare workers, rather than subjecting them to undue stress and public scrutiny.

 EMSOG remains committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Health to improve emergency care in Ghana and believes that a collaborative and evidence-based approach will yield better outcomes for patients and healthcare professionals alike.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com