Tamale Teaching Hospital death report submitted to Health Ministry

Months after the death of a 31-year-old patient at Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) on April 13, 2025, a three-member investigative committee has submitted a 39-page report to the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.

The incident, allegedly caused by medical negligence, ignited public outrage and sparked nationwide debate about hospital management and patient safety.

It escalated tensions when an unannounced visit by the Health Minister led to a confrontation with hospital staff. Feeling disrespected, doctors at TTH staged an indefinite strike, further disrupting healthcare delivery. Around the same period, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer was relieved of his duties.

In response, the Ministry set up an independent three-member panel chaired by Dr. Abdula Raheem Mohammed, alongside Halid Abdul-Rauf and Dr. Takyi Duayeden. Over two months, the committee held 12 sessions, interviewing the patient’s relatives, staff members, and other stakeholders. They also examined clinical operations and standard procedures to determine what went wrong.

Dr. Mohammed explained, “We assessed operations, spoke to key personnel, and observed standard practices. Our report includes findings and recommendations designed to strengthen healthcare delivery and prevent similar incidents.”

Minister Akandoh confirmed receipt of the report and assured the public that its recommendations would guide improvements. “This issue attracted significant public attention. We will carefully study the report and implement measures to enhance service delivery at TTH,” he said.

The committee identified systemic challenges that have long affected the hospital, including broken medical equipment, unreliable water and power supply, and shortages of essential medical items. These shortcomings, they noted, contributed to gaps in patient care and operational efficiency.

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The Health Ministry has pledged to supply additional equipment and resources to support hospital staff and improve conditions. Officials say the committee’s recommendations, once implemented, will help restore confidence in the hospital and ensure better healthcare services for patients.