Staff members of the Oncology department at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ashanti region, have initiated an indefinite strike, effective from Monday, June 24, 2024.
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This decision has left numerous patients, many of whom traveled from distant locations, stranded at the renowned referral facility.
The strike action was prompted by the staff’s dissatisfaction with management’s alleged lack of commitment to repairing or replacing faulty equipment crucial to their work.
Kwame Frimpong, the Public Relations Director of KATH, responded to the situation by stating that new equipment has been procured to upgrade the department.
These new tools are expected to be operational by the end of the week. He expressed surprise at the strike, mentioning that ongoing efforts to improve conditions had been communicated to the oncology department.
Meanwhile, the hospital’s Board of Management is currently in session, with plans to meet with the striking doctors’ leadership following the meeting.
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Speaking anonymously to Ghone News, a member of the striking doctors emphasized their frustration: “We are tired of promises; our outdated equipment has been dysfunctional for years, making our work incredibly challenging.
Both current and previous administrations have failed to address this issue adequately, which is why we have taken this step. We continue to care for patients already admitted, but we are not admitting new cases.”
He clarified, “It’s important to note that Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as a whole is operational. Every department except for Oncology is actively engaged in providing medical care to patients. This strike is specifically targeted at addressing our department’s equipment deficiencies.”
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital serves as a critical healthcare facility, catering not only to patients from all 12 regions of Ghana but also extending its services to neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali.
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