The resignation of the Medical Director of West Gonja Municipal Hospital, Dr. Wadeyir Jonathan Abesig, over what sources have described as administrative lapses, has sparked unrest among medical officers.

The renowned Surgeon's resignation took effect on Monday, January 10, 2022.

Sources say this has led to the resignation of another top surgeon at the Hospital, Dr. Anthony Akuribire, a Surgeon and Clinical Care Coordinator, with reports of several others threatening to either strike or exit.

As a member of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), the West Gonja Hospital practices the tripartite management model since the inception of the Association. Under this system, headship is based on experience and qualifications.

According to the doctors, hospital authorities supported Dr. Abesig, but rescinded their decision and appointed a new Director, Frank Ameyaw.

A Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, Dr. Abesig, was the lead surgeon among two others who has successfully delivered triplets at the facility a few weeks ago.

Thus, according to the Savannah Regional Director of Ghana Health Service, Doctor Chrysantus Kubio, "his exit will definitely affect health delivery at the Hospital, especially at the Out-Patients Department (OPD)."

Doctor Kubio who once held the same portfolio at the Hospital, told JoyNews in an interview that, "the primary objective of everything at the Hospital is smooth and uninterrupted health delivery and that's what we as a health directorate expects to continue in Damongo and beyond. But the way things are happening, I'm worried and we need the attention of all," Dr. Kubio indicated.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Damongo Diocese, Peter Paul Aagkyerie, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of West Gonja Hospital has received notices from the two top specialists regarding their protests and subsequent exits.

JoyNews can confirm that the re-arrangement of the leadership position by the Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital, whereby the Medical Director has been reduced to only theatre duties, stands to impact negatively especially in Gynaecology related cases and general coordinating of the Hospital in the coming weeks and months.

When JoyNews' Isaac Nongya visited the Hospital administration block, the environment was unusually silent with few workers engaged in group discussions about the subject.

Two Medical Officers who spoke to JoyNews under condition of anonymity, said Dr. Wadeyir Abesig stands tall and merits the position of Director of the Hospital.

According to them, Dr. Abesig was the Director of the Hospital for three years thus, from 2014 and 2017 and later went and specialised in Gynaecology and Obstetrics and returned last year to hold that position.

"So we don't really see the rationale and understanding of what informed that decision. Authorities also use the medical Director's rank as qualification to register in the the National Health Insurance Authority and HeFRa regulations, but want to give the directorship to a different officer. No, that wouldn't work or we go away," they bemoaned.

The Doctors also claimed that, "the current Administrator, Mr. Frank Ameyaw is a new comer in the office with Bsc HSA, 1st timer with no job experience and straight, he should head. Headship is based on experience and qualifications."

JoyNews' checks at the Hospital indicated that apart from specialising as Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with both West African College of Surgeons and Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, the former Director of the Hospital, Dr. Jonathan Wadeyir Abesig has under his leadership, put in place numerous innovations leading to the Hospital winning the second best performing District Hospital in the year 2016.

A Senior Nurse, (name withheld), said in an interview with JoyNews that, "look, we don't know what we have until that is gone. Just imagine his caliber and achievements. In 2017, because of Doctor Jonathan, we recorded zero maternal mortalities and without referral in 33 months."

He created labour room platform to help reduce maternal deaths and these platforms are now in many Districts and Regions," she stated.

Meanwhile, the JoyNews team caught up with newly appointed Damongo Diocesan Health Director, Ngmenbon Aiden who confirmed receipt of the letter of resignation from the former Director.

He was quick to add that, "yes, that's it as you indicated but I want to say that the authorities are still working to resolve it and I believe there will be a way out."

In a related development, a source at the hospital indicated to JoyNews that the remaining Medical Officers at the Hospital on Wednesday, January 12 have sent a 72 hour ultimatum to the CEO of the Hospital to either reverse the decision or they will advise themselves.

The 72 hour ultimatum has since elapsed thereby keeping everyone at the Hospital in suspense.