Tamale, Ghana – July 4, 2024 – A significant technical malfunction at the Tamale Teaching Hospital has led to a critical shortage of oxygen supply, raising concerns among medical staff and the public.

According to hospital officials, the problem began late last night when the main oxygen supply system experienced an unexpected failure. The hospital’s backup systems meant to ensure continuous oxygen supply during such incidents, were also compromised, exacerbating the situation.

The shortage has had immediate and severe implications for patients requiring oxygen therapy. Doctors and nurses have had to prioritize critical cases, causing delays and disruptions in the treatment of other patients. The hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency department are particularly affected, with several patients in need of urgent care.

The hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Zuberu Alidu, expressed concern by stating that measures are in place to manage the situation effectively. 

The hospital management has further assured the public that they are working tirelessly to rectify the issue and that engineers are on-site to diagnose and repair the faulty equipment. In the meantime, efforts are being made to secure additional oxygen supplies from nearby facilities and private suppliers.

One of the components, a very important component of the oxygen plant got burnt and because of that the plant is not able to produce and supply. What we are doing now is to liaise with suppliers mostly in Kumasi because our suppliers within the Northern region, we are told that they aren’t able to give us oxygen, said Mr Zuberu Alidu.

As efforts continue to resolve the technical issues, the staff at Tamale Teaching Hospital remain dedicated to providing the best possible care under challenging circumstances. The community, along with healthcare authorities, hopes for a swift resolution to restore the hospital’s full operational capacity.