The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has expressed serious alarm over how the investigation into Charles Amissah’s death is being managed, cautioning that publicly identifying medical staff members in the report has made them targets of public anger and personal danger.
The GMA’s response comes after the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, ordered the Ministry’s Chief Director to initiate disciplinary measures against health workers mentioned in the committee’s findings.
Speaking to Citi News on Thursday, May 7, the GMA President, Ernest Yorke, called the move to disclose the doctors’ names “unfortunate,” noting it has led to intense public criticism of the staff involved and diverted attention to weaknesses in the nation’s emergency care system.
He revealed that several clinicians cited in the document are now dealing with intimidation, online abuse and hostile communications, which he said are jeopardising their security and psychological health.
“…It has implications for their practice, their mental health, and others. And that is why we are saying even if they’ve done wrong, there are better ways of handling this without necessarily having to put them,” he lamented.
The Association maintained that there are other avenues for ensuring accountability, pointing out that in most legal and disciplinary frameworks, identities are kept confidential until proceedings are complete and in some instances names are concealed to avoid unnecessary harm.
While affirming its backing for responsibility in healthcare, the GMA stressed that any disciplinary steps should weigh openness against the need to safeguard professionals, particularly in demanding clinical settings.
The investigation allegedly found that 29-year-old engineer Charles Amissah died due to medical negligence rather than injuries from the hit-and-run accident.Those named and facing possible sanctions include Dr Anne-Marie Kudowor of the Police Hospital, Dr Nina Naomi Eyram Adotevi of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and Dr Ida Druant along with Dr (Med) Genevieve Adjar of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, as well as other nursing and regulatory personnel referenced in the report.
