The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has strongly condemned the recent lockdown of the Northern Regional Hospital by some irate youth who accused the hospital management of mismanagement.
According to a statement released by the GMA, the group locked the office of the Medical Director and other administrative offices and barricaded the Outpatients Department, putting the lives of patients, staff, and hospital property in danger.
The GMA described these actions as lawless and reckless, calling on the authorities to arrest those responsible. The association expressed deep concern about the growing trend of youth groups storming health facilities to enforce demands by force, which it warned endangers healthcare delivery and undermines the safety of both patients and health workers.
The association appealed to traditional leaders to intervene and counsel their youth to desist from such disruptive behavior and urged collaboration with hospital management to resolve any genuine grievances through proper channels. It reminded the public that there are established procedures to address concerns within health facilities without resorting to violence.
Further, the GMA urged the Ghana Health Service to immediately provide adequate protection for the Medical Director and all staff at the hospital while efforts to resolve the issues continue. The association also indicated it is closely monitoring the situation and warned it would take necessary actions if threats to medical personnel persist.
This condemnation follows a viral video circulating on social media showing the group besieging hospital premises in what the GMA calls a dangerous and unacceptable act that threatens the smooth running of critical healthcare services in the Northern Region.