The management of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi has condemned the strike action by some doctors at the Oncology department.

Seven out of eleven doctors at the Oncology Department of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi went on strike on Monday, June 24, 2024, leaving several cancer patients stranded.

The doctors used the strike to compel the hospital management to fix all broken cancer treatment machines, particularly the water phantom needed for the calibration of the LINAC.

According to Dr. Yaw Opare Larbi, Deputy Medical Director of the hospital, management had fulfilled all necessary procurement procedures to replace the broken equipment in the Oncology department.

The strike, involving seven out of eleven doctors, left several patients, who had travelled from near and far for cancer-related treatments, unattended. Most patients left the hospital without receiving care until three specialists arrived to attend to a few stranded patients.

A GHOne News visit to the Oncology department found an empty room due to the strike. Nana Adjei and Abrokwa Kwame, who had travelled from Wasa Akropong in the Western North and Ahafo regions for cancer treatment, shared their concerns with GHOne News.

Nana Adjei from the Western North region said, “When we arrived, the nurses announced that most of the doctors were on strike. Those who take medicine every three months were advised to return home and continue their medication. Those who came for reviews were told that a new date for review would be communicated. However, those on chemotherapy, who waited for hours, were treated and given medicine. Many people left disappointed. I travelled from the Western region and arrived in Kumasi at about 3 AM, only to be told that doctors were on strike. Whatever the issues are, I think the government must intervene to resolve them for our safety.”

Dr. Opare Yaw Larbi expressed surprise and disappointment that the doctors, fully aware of the measures taken by management, would still choose to strike over this issue.

He disclosed that management had procured the necessary equipment to fix the LINAC machine and had ordered a new water phantom machine at $109,623.39.

He further explained that the service providers are currently waiting for their agents to finalize the money transfer process in line with international money transfer compliance for the delivery of the new water phantom needed for calibration.

“The LINAC radiation machine used for cancer treatment was down for some time, so management procured the new parts and fixed it for use in the Oncology department. After fixing that, management was informed that the Water Phantom used for calibration had also broken down. The Phantom is not manufactured in Ghana or anywhere in Africa. We had to place an order for its procurement from the US, though the manufacturing company is in Bulgaria. Our banks in Ghana need to coordinate with banks in Bulgaria regarding letters of credit. Once the machine is delivered, the bank will pay the manufacturer through an intermediary bank in Bulgaria. All these processes take time,” he explained.

Dr. Opare Yaw further disclosed that management had followed all procurement best practices in line with the law and had secured a letter of credit.

“On our part, we have met all the conditions required for the procurement of the new machine. It is now up to our banks and the manufacturer’s banks to conclude the transaction. Once the transaction is completed, the manufacturer has assured us that the machine will be delivered within a week. If the banks finalize the transactions today, the machine could be delivered by the end of the week,” he said.

He added, “As management, we have not hidden any part of the process of acquiring this machine from the Oncology department. They have been involved from the beginning, and the striking doctors are fully aware of the situation. Therefore, this strike is needless, knowing very well that bringing the equipment at this moment is beyond our control.”

A GHOne News source at the hospital management disclosed that they are considering punitive actions against the doctors who went on strike, insisting the doctors have no justification for their action.

According to the source, the doctors also disrespected the Ashanti regional branch of the Ghana Medical Association leadership by declining an invitation for a meeting on their strike action.

Management believes the doctors just want to create disaffection in the hospital.

Attached is the letter of credit secured for procurement of the water phantom for cancer-related treatment