The Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abukari II, has dispatched a high-level delegation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) to mediate the ongoing strike by doctors.
The intervention aims to resolve tensions and ensure the continuity of critical healthcare services for affected patients.
Led by Zangbalun Naa Dr. Yakubu II, Chief of the Zangbalun Traditional Area, the delegation engaged with both hospital management and representatives of the Doctors Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH) in an effort to find common ground.
In a message conveyed on his behalf, the Yaa Naa acknowledged the dedication of the doctors but urged them to resume work, particularly emergency, walk-in, and specialist services, to prevent loss of life.
“As a neutral facilitator, I will convey your concerns to the minister and engage him to take the necessary steps to address your grievances. We implore you to consider the lives hanging in the balance”.
The Yaa Naa has pledged to engage the Ministry of Health to facilitate discussions with striking doctors, hoping to find a lasting resolution to the impasse.
“We urge you in the interim to find a way to ensure the continuity of emergency services. We’re willing to facilitate a meeting with your representatives and the minister to discuss the way forward”.
Speaking on behalf of the Acting CEO of TTH, Dr. Salifu Alhassan Tiah, Director of Pharmacy, expressed optimism about the Yaa Naa’s intervention, calling on doctors to take his appeal to heart.
“I want to appeal to colleagues that, as we are here, if there is any difficulty with our subsistence here, the ultimate place we will go to is his royal Highness. If he is here, we have nothing to do than to accord this delegation the highest of respect,” Dr. Tiah said.
The doctors’ strike, now in its second day, has severely impacted hospital operations, leaving patients stranded. Doctors at TTH suspended emergency and outpatient services indefinitely on April 24, citing “unwarranted attacks” from Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Tamale North MP Alhassan Suhuyini.
The decision was made during an emergency general assembly meeting of DATTH on April 23, following an incident during the minister’s visit to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit on April 22.
