Tamale, 24th January 2025 – Nurses and Midwives at the Tamale Central Hospital have issued a petition to hospital management, expressing grave concerns over severe shortages of essential medical supplies, which they claim are affecting patient care and staff well-being.
In an internal letter, addressed to the Medical Director, the health workers warned of an impending sit-down strike if urgent steps are not taken to resolve the situation.
The petition revealed that a meeting held on 17th January 2025 with the Medical Director outlined a roadmap to address the shortages. However, the staff allege that the promises made during the meeting have not been fulfilled. As of 21st January 2025, critical supplies such as gloves, syringes, and medications remain unavailable.
The health workers have outlined their key demands, which include: A clear plan and timeline for restocking essential supplies,Transparency regarding hospital finances, particularly the budget and revenue generated by various units, Details about the hospital’s health insurance claims and payments from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), An update on the hospital’s debt to the NHIS and a timeline for settling the outstanding amounts, Information on the number of casual workers employed and their impact on financial resources, Inclusion of consumables in patients’ prescriptions by prescribers and Introduction of an incentive package to boost staff morale.
The petition also emphasized the urgent need for action, stating that failure to supply logistics by Wednesday, 29th January 2025, would lead to a sit-down strike starting at the Outpatient Department (OPD) and subsequently extending to all wards.
The petitioners expressed willingness to collaborate with management to resolve the issue, underscoring their commitment to ensuring quality care despite the current challenges.
The Regional hospital authorities are yet to issue an official response to the concerns raised. However, with the threat of industrial action looming, it is expected that urgent discussions will be initiated to avert disruption of healthcare services.
This development highlights ongoing challenges within the healthcare system in the Northern region, as shortages of essential resources continue to place significant strain on both patients and staff.
Story By: Abubakara Jamaldee
