STRIKING DOCTORS and staff at the Oncology Department at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) are expected to return to their duty post today (Wednesday) June 26, 2024.

This follows a directive from the KATH Chief Executive Officer, Professor Otchere Addai-Mensah, to them to do so.

In a letter signed and sighted by Press1News to the Head of Department, Dr Frances Margaret Hoyte Williams, the CEO chronicled measures and meetings that had been held to resolve all the issues raised by the striking staff.

The CEO stated the request for retooling and the repair of broken equipment were all discussed and as the time of filing this report, processes to procure a 110, 000 dollars water phantom equipment had been done awaiting delivery.

Punitive Measures:

The striking doctors have thus been asked to return to work by 8am today (Wednesday).

Failure on their part to resume by Wednesday morning, the CEO intimated would occasion disciplinary actions.

He noted that not only is the strike action unjustified but illegal and unreasonable.

“Management will take appropriate disciplinary action against you if you fail to heed to this directive”, the CEO stated in the letter to the Head of Department.

Background:

Doctors at the Oncology department at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital declared an indefinite strike action.

On the 6th of June, the doctors wrote to the hospital’s management indicating same.

They noted the breakdown of equipment as part of reasons for the action.

However, despite several meetings and deliberations with management to resolve the issues the doctors and staff embarked on the action.

Patients who have been visiting the department for treatment for cancers has since been unable to receive care or treatment.

Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.