Sunyani Hospital Medical Superintendent, Accountant ordered to proceed on leave
The Bono Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has set up a fact-finding committee to investigate circumstances that led to the death of a patient, while on admission at the Sunyani Municipal Hospital.
The Ghana News Agency (GNA) investigations revealed the family of Alfred Asante, who died on April 14, this year, suspected foul play and they believed the deceased died because of negligence.
The Regional Directorate, headed by Dr. Kofi Amo-Kodieh subsequently ordered Dr. Robert Arkoh, the Hospital’s Medical Superintendent, and Alhaji Gyasi Ahmed Dauda, an Accountant, to proceed on leave, until investigations are completed.
Dr. Prince Qaurshie, the Sunyani Municipal Director of Health, confirming the story told the GNA said the Committee was expected to complete investigations and submit its findings to the Regional Health Directorate by the close of this week.
Meanwhile, the action taken by the Directorate attracted the displeasure of the Muslim community in Sunyani and its environs.
“We the Muslim community in Sunyani and its environs wish to protest against the unfair treatment meted out to Alhaji Dauda, also the Bono Regional Muslims Board Chairman. This action is more or less an interdiction”, a letter from the office of the Bono Regional Chief Imam, purportedly signed by Sheikh Alhaji Umar Abdul Kadr, the Regional Chief Imam stated.
A copy of the letter made available to the GNA described Alhaji Dauda as a known excellent distinguished Islamic leader, saying “your directive to proceed on leave has caused an irreparable damage to the reputation of our Regional Board Chairman”.
“How on earth an accountant should be asked to proceed on leave and hand over within two days for the death of a patient at a hospital. In fact, we suspect that there is an agenda against our leader because there is an unsubstantiated allegation that he helps Muslims.
“There is no way we will allow any individual or group to tarnish the reputation of our respected religious leader”, the letter dated June 8, 2021, and addressed to the Bono Regional Director of Health Service stated.
The letter was copied to the Sunyani Traditional Council, the Bono Regional Minister, and the Sunyani Municipal Hospital Advisory Board.
When contacted, Alhaji Suallah Abdallah Quandah, the Bono Regional Secretary to the Chief Imam and also the Executive Secretary of the Bono Regional Peace Council said he was not aware of the said letter.
He said the office of the Regional Chief Imam was meeting on the matter, adding the outcome of the meeting would be made known to the public at the right time.