The Korle-Bu chapter of the Federation of Allied Health Professionals has threatened to suspend outpatient services (OPD) starting Friday, August 2, 2024.
This decision stems from the hospital’s refusal to establish an independent body to supervise its operations.
Currently, over 1,500 professionals, under the management of the Hospital’s Medical Directorate, are requesting that the Management of Korle-Bu appoint a director to properly manage the affairs of their department instead of a medical doctor.
For more than ten years, the group which includes the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists, the Ghana Society of Radiographers, the Ghana Physiotherapy Association, and 15 other professional associations have been demanding a director to supervise the unit.
The health professionals also have had several engagements with the Management and the Board to ensure the appointment of a director to head their unit but to no avail.
This has resulted in the provocation leading to their decision to suspend OPD services starting Friday and entirely withdraw their services coming Monday, August 5 if no measures have been put in place.
The Local President of the Ghana Federation of Allied Health Professionals, Dr. Francis Kwakye Antwi has however asked the Management of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to be swift in taking a decision as soon as possible to resolve the issue or risk the health menace which is at stake.
“We have developed ourselves as professionals, but we have been denied this opportunity for over fifty years now and counting. And now thankfully, Korle Bu is hundred years and as we are celebrating our hundred years all we are asking for is that you give us our freedom and this freedom we are demanding now, not tomorrow”.
“We are saying now that we will need a director who will supervise the activities of allied health professionals, so throughout our struggle, we have managed through various tactics for our independence for us to represent ourselves where decisions are taken”.
On the other hand, the chief executive officer of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Opoku Ampomah is yet to speak on the matter.
By: Racheal Boateng
