The Doctors Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH) has expressed deep concern over what it describes as a misrepresentation of events involving a senior colleague during the recent visit of the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department.
In a statement, the Association said videos circulating on social media and related media commentary have failed to present the facts accurately and have unfairly tarnished the image of the doctor involved, who serves as Head of the Accident and Emergency Department.
“Our colleague has worked tirelessly to support patient care at the accident and emergency and has always discharged his duties professionally and diligently,” part of the statement said.
The statement said that the doctor in question was responding to the Minister’s inquiry about the management of a patient referred from another facility when the exchange became heated.
According to DATTH, the ongoing public discourse has exposed their colleague to unfair judgment, and the media coverage has unjustly vilified a dedicated professional.
The Association condemned the public interrogation of their member, describing it as inappropriate and damaging.
“We call on the media to be circumspect in its reportage of these sensitive issues which concern confidential information of a patient’s illness and death,” the statement urged.
It added, “We call on the general public to stop circulating unverified information on social media as well as stop the wrongful vilification of doctors of Tamale Teaching Hospital.”
DATTH reaffirmed its support for the embattled doctor, commending his leadership and integrity in highlighting systemic issues affecting patient care.
It warned that blaming healthcare workers for outcomes that result from inadequate resources is unjust and could impact morale and industrial harmony.
“We wish to state unequivocally that if the current trend where basic requirements for health care are unavailable, only for health personnel to be vilified for poor outcomes, we will advise ourselves and take actions that may not guarantee industrial harmony,” the Association cautioned.
An emergency meeting of all doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital has been called to deliberate on the next steps in response to the situation.
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