-BY Nadia Ntiamoah
Full medical services have resumed at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) following the suspension of strike action by doctors, which crippled healthcare delivery for three days.
The industrial action, which began on April 23, 2025, was triggered by a tense confrontation between the hospital’s senior staff and the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, during an unannounced visit.
The strike was sparked after a heated exchange between Dr. Valentine Akwulpwa, Head of the Accident and Emergency Unit, and the visiting Health Minister, who was accompanied by Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini.
The minister had to go on his kneels after his Rambo style invasion of the health facility.
The doctors at TTH accused Akandoh of “unwarranted verbal attacks” against Dr. Akwulpwa, actions they said disrespected not only him but the entire medical fraternity at the hospital.
In response, the doctors swiftly suspended all emergency and outpatient services, vowing not to return to work until they received a formal apology and assurances of respect for healthcare professionals.
Their action left thousands of patients stranded and raised widespread concern about the impact on emergency medical services in the Northern Region.
Efforts to resolve the impasse initially made little progress until the intervention of a high-powered delegation from the Gbewaa Palace, home of the overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abukari II.
The palace’s emissaries pleaded with the doctors to reconsider their stance for the sake of public health.
Following this royal intervention, the Accident and Emergency Department resumed partial operations, but full-services remained suspended.
It was not until Friday, April 25, 2025, after an official meeting between the leadership of the doctors and Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, that significant progress was made. In a show of goodwill and based on assurances from the minister, the doctors agreed to call off their strike action.
A statement issued by the Doctors Association at Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH) directed all members to immediately return to work and resume full services across all departments.
“The DATTH calls off the suspension of services and calls on all doctors to resume all services with immediate effect at Tamale Teaching Hospital,” the statement read.
While the doctors have returned to their posts, there remain calls within the medical community for a more structured engagement between government officials and health workers to prevent future misunderstandings.
Many doctors have expressed the need for mutual respect, particularly during high-stress visits and inspections, to maintain morale and professional dignity.
The resumption of services has brought relief to many residents in Tamale and surrounding areas, who rely heavily on TTH as a major referral center for critical and specialized healthcare services.
