Health Minister reaffirms government’s position on public health facilities
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, has reaffirmed the government’s position that no individual can close any portion of a public health facility without the explicit consent of the Minister of Health.
He emphasised that President Mahama has directed that no public health facility should turn away emergency cases, noting that if necessary, patients must be treated on the floor to save lives.
Mr Akandoh clarified the government’s directive in Parliament on Tuesday while responding to a question from Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin regarding the suspension of Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
The suspension of the CEO of KATH followed a press statement issued by the hospital on June 3, 2026, announcing the closure of its Accident and Emergency Unit to new patients.
This action directly contradicted the President’s directive that no emergency case should be turned away.
According to Mr Akandoh, the CEO admitted to acting contrary to the President’s directive and apologised when summoned by the Health Ministry.
To send a clear signal and uphold government policy, Mr Akandoh said, the Ministry directed the hospital’s board to ask the CEO to step aside for two weeks while investigations were conducted into the matter.
The Minister explained that under Section 36 of the Teaching Hospitals Act, the directives of the Minister of Health take precedence over decisions of hospital boards.
He emphasised that punitive measures in such instances were necessary to serve as a deterrent and to ensure strict adherence to national health policies.
Source: GNA