Former Member of Parliament for Asante Akim-North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, is calling for the reinstatement of the dismissed Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Dr. Adam Atiku.

Dr. Atiku was relieved of his duties following an unannounced visit by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, on April 22. The visit was reportedly prompted by the death of a patient, Bavug Salim, allegedly due to the lack of a functional ventilator at the hospital’s emergency unit.

A video showing a heated exchange between the Health Minister and Dr. Valentine Akwulpwa, Head of the Accident and Emergency Department, went viral on social media, sparking widespread public debate and criticism.

In response, the Doctors Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH) indefinitely suspended emergency and outpatient services.

However, emergency services resumed on Friday, April 25, after the intervention of a high-powered delegation from the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II.

Speaking in an interview with Selorm Adonoo on on Saturday, April 26, Appiah-Kubi criticized the minister’s handling of the situation, suggesting it should have been addressed privately.

“I think that the Health Minister could have done better by calling a meeting outside the full glare of the public. We also have to accept that he’s a very youthful minister trying to learn his job on the run.

“It was not the best we expected from him to have confronted the health professionals in public,” he said.

While acknowledging that the minister’s response to the situation showed concern, Appiah-Kubi stressed the need for professionalism and decorum.

“I think that his response to the situation is commendable. I’m sure that going forward, he will also pick up some lessons from it. And begin to be more professional in his approach to some of these things. I think he got so sentimental, probably because of the death of the patient.

“If he went there to cause the dismissal of the doctor [CEO], then it was premature and premeditated. He should have been a bit more decorous in handling this matter. It was in bad taste,” he pointed out.

He further urged the Ghana Medical Association and the Health Minister to dialogue and resolve the matter amicably.

“I think the Ghana Medical Association and the minister must sit done and find a truce. I don’t think it’s necessary just to fire the doctor [CEO], in the media like that, it was also improper.

“I think we must let sleeping dogs lie and let the doctor [CEO] come back to his post and continue his work,” suggested.

Akandoh to TTH Doctors: I meant no disrespect, let’s end the strike

…..