By: Siba Zakaria ]
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has strongly condemned a violent incident at the Northern Regional Hospital, formerly known as Tamale Central Hospital, where a group of youth stormed the facility, locking up administrative offices and barricading the Out-Patients Department. The incident, captured on video and shared on social media, has sparked widespread concern over the safety of healthcare workers and patients.
In a press statement signed by the President and General Secretary of the GMA, the association described the acts as “lawless and dangerous,” warning that such behavior endangers the lives of patients and staff, as well as hospital property. The GMA expressed concern over a growing trend of youth groups invading health facilities to threaten managers instead of following proper procedures to resolve grievances.¹
The association has called on the Ghana Police Service to immediately apprehend those involved in the incident and urged traditional leaders to intervene and help restore calm. The GMA also appealed to the Ghana Health Service to provide adequate protection for the Medical Director and all staff at the facility while ongoing issues are resolved.
“We urge the Police to swiftly apprehend those involved and called on traditional leaders to intervene to ensure that grievances are channeled appropriately,” the GMA stated.
The incident has raised concerns about the security and safety of healthcare workers in Ghana, and the GMA has reiterated its commitment to protecting its members and ensuring that healthcare services are delivered without interruptions.²
The Ghana Police Service has been urged to take swift action against the perpetrators to prevent such incidents from recurring. The GMA will continue to monitor the situation closely and may take further action if threats to healthcare workers persist.
