The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has paid an urgent working visit to the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) in response to a public outcry over an alleged case of medical negligence that reportedly led to the death of a patient.

The incident came to light after a viral social media post over the weekend accused hospital staff of malpractice in connection with the patient’s death.

In a swift response, the minister departed Accra on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, to gather first-hand information about the circumstances surrounding the case and explore possible resolutions.

“The Hon. Minister left Accra on Tuesday morning to receive first-hand information in relation to the death,” said Isaac Baah Ofei, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Health, in an exclusive interview.

Meanwhile, the management of Tamale Teaching Hospital has released an official statement addressing the growing public concern. In the statement, issued on Monday, April 21, 2025, the hospital expressed its condolences to the bereaved family and acknowledged the pain the incident has caused.

However, the hospital firmly denied claims of negligence. According to the statement, the patient had been referred from another facility and required a specialized medical procedure that TTH is currently unequipped to provide.

Additionally, all four ICU beds at the hospital, which serves the entire Northern Ghana region, were fully occupied at the time of the patient’s arrival.

“We understand the public’s concern and the need for answers,” the statement noted. “We respectfully urge all stakeholders to remain calm and avoid drawing premature conclusions.”

An internal investigation has been launched to determine the full circumstances surrounding the patient’s death. The hospital has pledged to make the findings public once the investigation is complete.

TTH reiterated its commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care and acknowledged the urgent need to expand critical care capacity in the region.

The incident has sparked a wave of public reaction, with many Ghanaians calling for a significant boost to healthcare infrastructure, especially ICU facilities.