The Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) has taken firm regulatory action in the Northern Region, simultaneously directing the Tamale Technical University Hospital (TaTU Hospital) to reopen and launching special investigations into conditions at the Tamale Central Hospital.

In a statement dated November 28, HeFRA announced that it had completed a re-inspection at the TaTU Hospital following its temporary closure earlier in the month.

According to the Agency, the shutdown was ordered on November 7, “on account of the provision of healthcare services under compromised infection prevention conditions.”

After a follow-up assessment on 24th November 2025, HeFRA says it has now taken two key decisions:
“HeFRA has issued a 6-month provisional operational licence to the hospital. HeFRA hereby directs the management of the hospital to resume service provision effective Saturday, 29th November, 2025.”

The Agency assured the public that it will “continue to monitor compliance with healthcare standards and review the licensing status of the facility in due course as quality improvement strides are consolidated.”

This reopening directive comes just days after HeFRA confirmed it had initiated investigations into a separate incident at the Tamale Central Hospital.

In a press release dated November 25, the Agency said its attention had been drawn to “a video reportage of some youth of Tamale who stormed the Tamale Central Hospital on account of alleged mismanagement of the facility.”

The video contained “disturbing footage of overflowing dustbins, among other infection prevention and general sanitation challenges,” prompting HeFRA to dispatch a team for preliminary investigations.

According to the statement, the team engaged hospital management as well as “some aggrieved workers (orderlies) of the facility, whose industrial strike action occasioned the matter.”

HeFRA noted that a “deeper engagement process is currently underway with the involvement of other relevant key stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the matter and prevent future occurrences.”

Both statements reaffirm HeFRA’s statutory mandate under the Health Institutions and Facilities Act, 2011 (Act 829), to license and monitor healthcare facilities. The Agency appealed to the public to remain calm, emphasising:

“HeFRA remains committed to ensuring the safety of the public through the provision of quality healthcare services.”