Doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have commenced an indefinite withdrawal of services following the suspension of the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, describing the decision as unjustified and counterproductive.
The industrial action was announced by the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association (KADA) after an emergency meeting held on June 5, 2026, to assess recent developments at the hospital, particularly issues surrounding severe congestion at the Emergency Department and the subsequent suspension of the CEO.
In a formal notice addressed to the Chairman of the KATH Board, the association expressed concern that measures introduced by management to address patient overcrowding and ensure continued delivery of safe healthcare had instead resulted in disciplinary action against the hospital’s chief executive.
According to the doctors, management’s decision to temporarily halt new emergency admissions and coordinate with surrounding health facilities was a necessary intervention aimed at preventing avoidable deaths and protecting patient safety amid overwhelming capacity constraints.
The doctors noted that KATH, which serves as the principal tertiary referral facility for the middle and northern sectors of Ghana, continues to face significant infrastructural challenges despite a growing patient population.
The association argued that the current crisis reflects longstanding systemic deficiencies within the country’s healthcare system and requires urgent policy and infrastructure interventions rather than punitive measures against hospital administrators attempting to manage the situation.
Following deliberations, members unanimously condemned the suspension of the CEO, stating that the decision would not address the underlying challenges confronting the facility and could undermine efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
As a result, the association resolved to commence a total withdrawal of services by medical doctors at the hospital effective 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The doctors indicated that the strike action would continue until a number of demands are met.
Among the key conditions outlined by KADA is the review and reversal of the suspension of the Chief Executive Officer.
The association is also demanding that the KATH Board establish clear policies to guide the management of situations in which the hospital’s emergency capacity has been exceeded.
Additionally, the doctors are calling on the Ministry of Health to provide clear timelines for the operationalisation of Sewua Hospital and Afari Military Hospital.
They are also seeking timelines for the retooling of KATH and other hospitals within the Ashanti Region to help ease the pressure on the facility.
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