Following the mob attack on doctors and nurses at the A block of OBGYN department of KATH, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) , Ashanti division has announced the suspension of its services effective from 5pm , 14 th February 2014. The attack which took place on 13th February 2014 around 10am resulted in the physical assault on four doctors, nurses and wanton destruction of property on the wards. Some inpatients were heckled during the attack.
The events leading to this attack started two weeks ago , 5th February 2014 when the body of a baby born stillbirth was allegedly disposed off by hospital cleaner. The couple later requested the remains of the dead baby for burial but the cleaner upon interrogation could not track the location he claimed to have disposed off the remains. This led to heated exchanges between staff and the aggrieved couple. Management initially set up a committee to investigate the matter. Two weeks later the hospital was hit by a surprise mob attack led by one Abdulai Ibrahim , a close relative of the aggrieved mother. Eye witness account claimed the attackers numbered about 15 people including macho men. Two senior doctors who tried to restrain them were heckled. Other two doctors were physically assaulted whilst going about normal duty. Nurses were assaulted and the rest of the health workers were had to run for cover some sustaining varying degrees of injury .Police was called in to restore calm and later arrested three suspects. The attackers reportedly threatened more attacks on radio. The Ashanti division of the GMA held an emergency meeting the following day to discuss the matter. Following the meeting it announced the suspension of services of doctors pending security and safety arrangements and investigation . This was communicated in a letter signed by the vice chairperson , Dr Osei Sarfo – Kantanka and the Junior Doctors Spokesperson, Dr Kwasi Twumasi Baah- Jnr
Dr Kofi Ametih