The Ministry of Health has appealed to the public to desist from assaulting healthcare workers and instead support ongoing efforts to improve service delivery in the health sector.
The call comes after a viral video showed relatives of a patient physically attacking a nurse at the emergency department of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge). The incident, which stemmed from a reported altercation over delays in care, has heightened concerns about the safety of medical staff and the overall quality of emergency service delivery.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Monday, August 18, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Tony Goodman, described the assault as unacceptable and dangerous—posing risks not only to healthcare providers but also to patients. He noted that the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, had strongly condemned the incident.
“The Minister has condemned the attack and directed that investigations be carried out. It is wrong, and we do not want such acts to recur. Security agencies have been tasked to intervene and deal with the situation. As we work to resolve the challenges, we urge citizens to support us instead of attacking health workers,” Mr. Goodman stated.
To address immediate concerns, the Ministry has announced new measures, including strengthening security at the hospital and probing the circumstances that led to the reported delays in treatment.
Mr. Goodman further stressed that while government remains committed to addressing systemic issues within the health sector, public cooperation, patience, and respect for health professionals are vital to ensuring effective and safe care delivery.
