The management of the Wa Municipal Hospital has directed 19 staff members to refund various sums of money believed to have been illegally collected from clients.
This decision followed an investigation by a six-member disciplinary committee, which found the 19 workers guilty of engaging in the unauthorized sale of non-drug medical consumables, making improper demands from clients, and charging unauthorized fees at the hospital's maternity ward.
The management stated that the refunds, ranging from GH¢4 to GH¢286, are part of a broader set of punitive measures recommended by the disciplinary committee.
The committee was tasked with investigating complaints of extortion, insubordination, the charging of illegal fees, and the unauthorized sale of non-drug consumables at the facility.
Confirming the matter to Channel One News, Sampson Abu, the administrator of the Wa Municipal Hospital, named the affected workers as Yahaya Salima, Abubakari Zaharee, Isung Crescentia, Suleman Hawuletu, and Issahaku Rabiatu.
Others include Kye-mpuong Gladys, Sorbontey Ernestina, Jamba Hawa, Monniebe Theresa, Na-ille Faith, and Naa Mery.
Additional staff involved are Abu Margaret, Abawayelle Elizabeth, Sabogu Claudia, Owusu Evelyn, Seidu Taslima, Bakuri Alice, Fatoa Habibata, and Adamah A.
H.
Anita.
Mr.
Abu also revealed that three other individuals, Gertrude Sakey, Mercy Archeng, and Mercy Ashun, who failed to appear before the disciplinary committee, have been reported to the regional health directorate for appropriate sanctions. "The hospital's administration has recently received significant public criticism for its awful staff conduct towards customers.
One of the most serious concerns was the alleged illegal indiscriminate sale of non-drug medical consumables to clients at the maternity ward notwithstanding management precautions. "So in our quest to demonstrate commitment to upholding the dignity of both clients and staff, a committee was formed to investigate the issues and the investigations came out with evidence implicating a number of midwives in grave violations".
The administrator cited surgical gloves, urinary catheters, urine bags, pads and bed mats as some of the non-drug medical consumables sold by the midwives to expectant mothers at the maternity ward on the blind side of the hospital's authorities.
He said some of the midwives also confessed to improper demands and collection of unauthorized fees contrary to the Ghana Health Service's code of conduct and disciplinary procedures.
The administrator explained that apart from the refund, some of the affected persons will suffer a change of work schedules or places and other punitive measures depending on the gravity of their offences to serve as a deterrent to all other staff of the municipal hospital.
Mr.
Sampson Abu, however, said all the actions taken against the staff were in strict adherence to Chapter 8 sub-sections 1 and 4 of the Ghana Health Service code of conduct and disciplinary procedures which talk about major offences and penalties.
Management of the hospital assured the public to continue to have trust in the facility and not to hesitate to report all issues for redress.
At the time of filing this report, Channel One News contacted some of the affected midwives for their responses but they declined with a reason that they were going to meet and respond appropriately. By Latif Mahama