The management of Wa Municipal Hospital has ordered 19 staff members to refund various amounts of money that were unlawfully collected from patients.
The decision follows a disciplinary committee’s findings that implicated the staff in improper practices, including the unauthorized sale of non-drug medical supplies, improper demands from patients, and the collection of unauthorized fees, particularly at the maternity ward.
The six-member disciplinary committee, which investigated complaints of extortion, insubordination, and illegal charges, recommended refunds ranging from GH¢4 to GH¢286. The refunds are part of a series of punitive measures against the staff involved.
Sampson Abu, the hospital’s administrator, confirmed the issue on Channel One TV, stating that the hospital management initiated the investigation after receiving numerous complaints about staff misconduct.
“The hospital has recently faced significant public criticism for the inappropriate behavior of some staff members towards patients. One of the most serious concerns was the illegal sale of non-drug medical consumables at the maternity ward, despite management’s precautions,” Abu explained.
Items such as surgical gloves, urinary catheters, urine bags, pads, and bed mats were sold by some midwives to expectant mothers without the hospital’s authorization. Some of the midwives also admitted to making improper demands and collecting fees not sanctioned by the Ghana Health Service’s code of conduct.
In addition to the refunds, certain staff members will face changes in their work schedules or assignments, depending on the severity of their offenses, in a move aimed at deterring others from engaging in similar misconduct.
Abu stressed that all actions taken against the staff followed the Ghana Health Service’s code of conduct and disciplinary procedures, particularly Chapter 8, which outlines major offenses and penalties.
The hospital management urged the public to maintain their trust in the facility and encouraged patients to report any further issues for prompt redress.
Attempts to obtain comments from the affected midwives were unsuccessful, as they declined to speak, citing plans to meet and respond collectively.
