Patients stranded as KATH strike enters day four

The strike by health workers at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has entered its fourth day, with worsening conditions as patients who have travelled from different parts of the country continue to remain stranded at the facility.

The industrial action, which began on Saturday, June 6, over the suspension of the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, and other related concerns, is still disrupting healthcare delivery at the country’s second-largest referral hospital.

While critically ill patients and those already on admission are still being attended to, most Out-Patient Department (OPD) services remain affected, preventing many patients from accessing scheduled consultations, follow-ups and routine care.

Several patients who travelled long distances to seek medical attention have been caught up in the disruption, with some arriving only to be informed that health workers are currently on strike.

A relative of a patient who travelled from Zebilla in the Upper East Region said the family has been left stranded after a scheduled review could not go ahead due to the strike.

“We were transferred from the north two weeks ago and came all the way from Zebilla. When we arrived, my relative was attended to, laboratory tests were done, and we were given medication and asked to return today for a review.

“Unfortunately, we arrived only to meet the strike. We are currently staying at my aunt’s place in Asawase, and our presence is putting financial pressure on her. It is very frustrating,” the relative told Citi News.

Another patient who travelled from Akyem Oda in the Eastern Region said she is uncertain about her next steps after missing her follow-up appointment due to the industrial action.

“My church supported me financially to come to the hospital. My breast is swollen. I came here two weeks ago. I was asked to return today. I came from Akyem Oda. I don’t know whether to return or wait here, I don’t know anybody around,” she said.

Attempts by the government to get the striking staff to return to work have so far been unsuccessful. The health workers insist they will only resume duty after receiving feedback from the Ministry of Health and the Health Minister regarding their concerns over the suspension of the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer.

The ongoing standoff has left healthcare services at KATH under significant strain, with patients and their families bearing the brunt of the disruption as the strike enters its fourth day.