Tensions Rise as Health Minister Confronts Hospital Staff Over Patient Death at Tamale Teaching Hospital

Ghana’s Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, was involved in a tense confrontation with an official of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) during a surprise visit following the reported death of a patient at the facility’s Accident and Emergency Ward.

Accompanied by the Member of Parliament for Tamale North and Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, Alhassan Suhuyini, the Health Minister was seen in a widely circulated video posted by TV3 demanding accountability and answers from hospital management over the circumstances leading to the tragic incident.

The video captures a visibly upset Minister Akandoh expressing his dissatisfaction with the demeanor and tone of a hospital official during the exchange. “Even me, a minister, look at the way you are behaving in front of me—so you can imagine how you treat others,” he said, visibly frustrated.

Akandoh criticized what he described as poor communication and a dismissive attitude from the staff member, raising broader concerns about how the hospital engages with ordinary Ghanaians seeking healthcare services. “There is a problem here. So if a commoner comes around, how can they talk to this man here? How would he be able to communicate with them?” the minister asked, adding, “It means you are doing worse things here. I’m even worried.”

Hospital Responds to Allegations of Negligence

In response to the growing public outcry, the management of the Tamale Teaching Hospital issued a statement clarifying the events that led to the patient’s death and addressing claims of negligence.

According to the hospital, the deceased patient was referred from another facility for a specialized medical procedure that is currently unavailable at TTH. Furthermore, the hospital noted that all four of its Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds—critical resources that serve the entire Northern Ghana—were fully occupied at the time of the patient’s arrival.

“The Management of Tamale Teaching Hospital has taken note of reports circulating on social media concerning the unfortunate death of a patient at our Accident and Emergency Ward,” the statement read. “Preliminary findings indicate that the patient required a specialized procedure that, regrettably, is not yet available at TTH.”

While refuting any direct allegations of medical negligence, the hospital confirmed that it has launched an internal investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The management has appealed to the public and stakeholders to remain calm and allow due process to take its course.

Public Reaction and Broader Implications

The confrontation and subsequent hospital statement have sparked conversations across the country about the state of healthcare infrastructure in Ghana, particularly in underserved regions. With limited ICU capacity and unavailable specialized procedures in key referral hospitals, many Ghanaians are expressing concerns about systemic gaps in healthcare delivery.

Minister Akandoh’s impromptu visit and public rebuke of hospital staff have been both praised and criticized—some viewing it as a necessary call for accountability, while others question whether such exchanges help build trust between government officials and medical professionals.

As the investigation continues, the incident has reignited urgent calls for investment in healthcare infrastructure, better staff training in patient relations, and clearer referral protocols to prevent avoidable deaths.

Watch the video below:

Source: Thepressradio.com| Ogyem Solomon| 2025