Yaa Naa Steps In: Dagbon Overlord Mediates Doctors’ Strike at TTH
Yaa Naa's Delegation Engages Hospital Management and Doctors' Association in Bid to Restore Vital Services
- Dagbon Overlord sends delegation to mediate ongoing doctors' strike at Tamale Teaching Hospital
- Yaa Naa appeals for resumption of emergency, walk-in, and specialist services to save lives
- Yaa Naa offers to facilitate talks between doctors and the Ministry of Health to resolve the conflict
The Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abukari II, has launched a high-level intervention to mediate the ongoing strike by doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH).
Leading a delegation headed by Zangbalun Naa Dr. Yakubu II, the Chief of the Zangbalun Traditional Area, the team engaged with both the hospital’s management and representatives from the Doctors Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH).
In a message delivered through his representatives, Yaa Naa acknowledged the doctors’ unwavering commitment but appealed to them to reconsider their strike, particularly for emergency, walk-in, and specialist services, in order to save lives.
He also expressed his readiness to facilitate discussions between the Ministry of Health and the doctors, in hopes of finding a lasting solution to the standoff.
“As a neutral facilitator, I will convey your concerns to the Minister and encourage him to take the necessary actions to address your grievances. We implore you to think of the lives hanging in the balance,” the Yaa Naa said.
He also urged the doctors to ensure that emergency services continue during the strike and offered to arrange a meeting with the minister to discuss a way forward.
On behalf of the Acting CEO of TTH, Dr. Salifu Alhassan Tiah, Director of Pharmacy at the hospital, expressed hope that the Yaa Naa’s intervention would bring about positive change.
“We have no choice but to give this delegation the utmost respect, and we hope that we all take their message to heart,” he said.
The doctors’ strike, which is now entering its second day, has significantly impacted hospital services, leaving many patients stranded.
The strike began on April 24 after doctors at the hospital suspended emergency and outpatient services indefinitely, citing “unwarranted attacks” from Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Tamale North MP Alhassan Suhuyini. This action followed an incident during the Minister’s visit to the hospital on April 22.
