In light of the ongoing nationwide strike by nurses and midwives, healthcare professionals at Kumasi’s Maternal and Child Health Hospital have stepped in to provide essential medical services on a voluntary basis.
Following urgent meetings with hospital management, doctors have committed to maintaining care levels after striking nursing staff completely withdrew their services.
Dr. Nii Oku Aryee, the Medical Superintendent of the facility, informed Kumasi FM that while their operational capacity is reduced, critical healthcare is still being delivered. “Our medical team is making personal sacrifices to cover vital areas. Patients arriving at our facility continue to receive the treatment they require, and we are determined to maintain high healthcare standards,” he said.
Despite this commitment, the hospital has observed a considerable drop in patient numbers, which Dr. Aryee believes is largely due to extensive media attention surrounding the strike, creating uncertainty about service availability. Although the hospital remains functional, some patients have reported being turned away.
Dr. Aryee clarified that these incidents may have occurred when patients arrived at closed units or during the triage assessment. “We are doing our best to redirect cases appropriately, but we understand the frustration when expectations do not meet reality, particularly in such challenging circumstances,” he acknowledged.
To mitigate the situation, the hospital administration has introduced emergency protocols that prioritize maternal and pediatric emergencies. They are also calling for patience from the public as they navigate these trying times.
