The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has defended the suspension of the Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, insisting that the decision was necessary following the unauthorised closure of the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, June 16, the Health Minister explained that the action was taken after the hospital allegedly shut down its emergency unit without the required approval, a move he said violated directives from President John Dramani Mahama.
He stressed that the directive from the President was clear and binding, particularly on the handling of emergency cases across all health facilities in the country.
According to him, the Executive has the authority to enforce compliance and take disciplinary action where necessary in the implementation of government policy and the management of public health institutions.
“I do not remember anytime that when the Executive is executing punitive actions, it needed the permission of Parliament to do so,” he stated on the floor of the House.
He further referenced a policy directive issued by John Dramani Mahama, which emphasised that no health facility should turn away emergency cases and that life-saving care must be provided under all circumstances.
“Let me put on record that absolutely nobody has the right to close any portion of a health facility without the consent of the Health Minister,” he added.
The Minister noted that following the President’s directive, a press statement had indicated the closure of the Accident and Emergency Unit at KATH, which he said necessitated immediate administrative action.
The suspension of Dr. Baidoo has since generated public debate over administrative authority within Ghana’s health sector and the enforcement of emergency healthcare policies.
, Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, insisting that the decision was necessary following the unauthorised closure of the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit.){kind=link}