The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital’s (KATH) Oncology Department has been forced to turn away patients due to a strike by doctors over faulty equipment. The doctors are refusing to take on new cases or accept referrals until the hospital’s management fixes the broken Linear Accelerator, which is essential for radiotherapy treatment.
The strike, which entered its second day on Tuesday, has caused frustration and worry for patients and their families. Despite the strike, doctors are still attending to patients who were already scheduled to receive medication. However, some patients have been forced to seek alternative care at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, which is putting a strain on resources.
One patient, whose wife is battling cancer, told Citi News, “The strike is affecting us badly. My wife is very sick, and there is no doctor to attend to her. We are pleading with the government to intervene and resolve this issue as soon as possible.” Another patient, whose father is suffering from liver damage, said, “We were told to go home because of the strike. My father’s liver is damaged, and he needs urgent treatment. We don’t know what to do.”
The doctors’ strike is the latest in a series of protests by medical professionals over inadequate resources and poor working conditions. The Ghana Medical Association has expressed support for the striking doctors, saying that the government must address the issue urgently to prevent a collapse of the healthcare system.
