Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has confirmed the immediate dismissal of Dr. Adam Atiku, Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), following mounting concerns over alleged negligence related to a patient’s death at the facility.
Speaking during an interview on JoyFM’s NewsNight on Tuesday, April 22, Mr. Akandoh disclosed that a formal termination letter had been issued to Dr. Atiku and that the hospital would now move forward under new leadership.
“We have thanked him for the services he rendered at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. We believe it is time for someone else to continue as CEO,” the Minister said. “He has been sacked with immediate effect.”
While the Health Minister declined to comment on whether Dr. Atiku intended to challenge the decision, he emphasized that the dismissal was not solely linked to the incident that occurred on Sunday. “The appointing authority owes nobody any explanation for hiring or firing an employee,” Mr. Akandoh noted.
The move follows a surprise visit by the Minister to the hospital earlier the same day to assess conditions on the ground and gather firsthand information about the controversial death, which has sparked public outrage. A formal committee has now been established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
During his tour of the emergency ward, Mr. Akandoh recounted an unsettling exchange with a doctor who he said failed to convey appropriate seriousness regarding the fatality. “Some of the doctor’s remarks were insensitive. He didn’t seem to appreciate the gravity of the situation,” the Minister said.
Emphasizing the importance of compassion in clinical care, Mr. Akandoh added, “When life is lost, especially under questionable circumstances, it is essential that healthcare professionals show empathy and take responsibility.”
Beyond the incident itself, the Minister expressed broader dissatisfaction with the hospital’s overall management and state of equipment. “There were a lot of things I was not happy about,” he said. “Equipment purchased under this government has been left in disrepair. They couldn’t maintain or replace it, yet expect the government to keep injecting funds.”
The Ministry of Health has not yet announced Dr. Atiku’s successor, but officials have indicated that leadership restructuring is underway as part of a wider effort to improve healthcare delivery in the Northern Region.
Source:TheDotNews