The management of the Wa Municipal Hospital in the Upper West Region has instructed 19 staff members to return various sums of money, believed to have been illicitly obtained from patients at the facility.

This directive follows an investigation by a six-member disciplinary committee, which found the workers guilty of engaging in the unauthorized sale of medical supplies, making improper demands from patients, and collecting illegal fees, particularly in the maternity ward.

The amounts to be refunded range from GH¢4 to GH¢286, and are part of a broader set of punitive measures imposed on the staff by the committee, which was tasked with investigating complaints of extortion, insubordination, and the unauthorized sale of medical consumables.

Sampson Abu, the hospital administrator, confirmed the findings during an interview with Channel One TV. He explained that management initiated the investigation after receiving numerous complaints about inappropriate staff behaviour.

“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.

Some of the non-drug medical supplies sold by the midwives included surgical gloves, urinary catheters, urine bags, pads, and bed mats, all sold without the knowledge of hospital authorities. Additionally, some of the midwives admitted to demanding unauthorized fees, in violation of the Ghana Health Service’s code of conduct.

In addition to the refunds, some of the staff involved will face changes in their work schedules or transfers to other departments, depending on the severity of their offences. These measures are intended to serve as a deterrent to other hospital employees.

Mr Abu stressed that all actions taken against the staff were in full compliance with Chapter 8, sub-sections 1 and 4 of the Ghana Health Service's code of conduct, which addresses major offences and their corresponding penalties.

While management has urged the public to continue supporting the hospital, the affected midwives declined to comment at the time of reporting, stating they would meet and issue a formal response later.

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