As the strike by medical professionals at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) enters its second day, the Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Health Committee has stepped in, appealing to the Doctors Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH) to reconsider their decision to suspend emergency and outpatient services. The doctors declared an indefinite halt to critical services following what they described as verbal attacks by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Tamale North MP Alhassan Suhuyini during a recent visit to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit.
The Minority, while expressing their support for the doctors and recognising their immense sacrifice in the face of mounting challenges, stressed the urgency of resuming medical services to prevent further hardship for vulnerable patients. In a carefully worded statement issued on April 25, 2025, the group emphasised the need to balance advocacy with the ethical responsibility of preserving life, particularly in a region where many rely heavily on TTH for specialised care.
The Minority's call comes on the heels of the Health Minister’s public response to the incident. Mr Akandoh denied any intention to disrespect the medical staff and urged them to return to duty. He called for a renewed focus on dialogue, stressing the importance of maintaining mutual respect between government officials and health workers. His statement was aimed at cooling tensions and restoring normalcy as quickly as possible.
Despite the reassurances, the strike has already caused visible strain on healthcare services in Tamale. With no emergency or outpatient care available, patients and their families have been left in distress, unsure of where to turn for urgent medical needs. The empty corridors and inactive wards of the hospital are a stark reminder of the impact industrial action can have on public life. For many, TTH is not just a hospital, but a lifeline, and any disruption to its services quickly ripples through the community.
In their appeal, the Minority highlighted this reality. While acknowledging the legitimacy of the doctors’ grievances, they urged the leadership and members of DATTH to urgently reconsider the strike in the interest of public health. The statement expressed worry about both the short and long-term effects of the impasse, especially on patients who cannot afford alternatives.
“We are, however, deeply concerned about the immediate and long-term implications of the suspension of critical services, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society who depend on TTH for urgent care,” the statement read. “While your concerns are valid and your demands legitimate, we respectfully appeal to the leadership and general membership of DATTH to consider, as a matter of urgency, the possibility of rescinding this decision in the supreme interest of public health.”
With no resolution yet in sight, all eyes remain on the leadership of the doctors and government stakeholders to reach a middle ground. The next steps will determine how swiftly the hospital can resume full operations and restore confidence among the thousands who depend on it daily.
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