The Tamale Teaching Hospital is facing critical operational challenges that are severely affecting its ability to deliver quality healthcare, according to the hospital’s Director of Pharmacy, Dr. Salifu Alhassan Tia.
Speaking during a recent engagement with Zangalinews. Com, Dr. Tia highlighted a series of persistent issues including water scarcity, unstable electricity supply, and deteriorating medical equipment.
The hospital, which serves as a major referral center in the northern region, has no reliable water supply. It currently depends on two water tankers purchased by the facility, but even these often struggle to find accessible sources of water. This situation has led to serious sanitation concerns and disrupted medical services.
Dr. Tia also pointed to frequent power outages as a major threat to patient care. “Power instability is a daily risk, especially for patients who depend on oxygen and other life-saving electrical equipment,” he said.
Adding to the woes, much of the hospital’s medical equipment is either outdated or in disrepair. Basic surgical tools, including knives, are reportedly blunt and ineffective, compromising the quality and safety of surgical procedures.
“These challenges go beyond our capacity to manage alone,” Dr. Tia stated, calling for urgent intervention to re-tool the facility and improve its infrastructure.
The situation has raised concerns among healthcare professionals and the public alike, as the hospital remains a crucial institution for medical services in northern Ghana.
BY: ALHASSAN S SUHIYINI