Doctors and Nurses threaten to leave Winneba Government Hospital

Winneba, Dec 12, GNA - Doctors, Nurses and other paramedical staffs of the Winneba Government Hospital staying at the Low-cost Area, have threatened to leave the hospital following persistent attacks on them by armed robbers.

According to the health professionals, they had been traumatized and discouraged by the insecurity at their bungalows and quarters in recent times, by the activities of the robbers who persistently robbed them of their valuable items.

The officials made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Winneba after they handed over one Richard Baiden, a 20 year-old student of the Winneba National Vocational Training Centre, who was arrested at the area for breaking into a provision store on Wednesday night. The Low-cost Area is where most government officials in the Municipality including doctors and nurse reside. Dr Abdulla Hadi, a Medical Doctor and victim, narrating his ordeal to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said armed robbers entered his bungalow and robbed him of everything during mid-year last year. He said a doctor posted to Winneba only three months ago had also been robbed.

Dr Hadi said "I am leaving for elsewhere by the end of December, 2009, because I cannot work in such a dangerous environment and unsecured area as a medical doctor".

Mrs Justina Brown, Midwife of the Hospital on her part said, she had been a victim of armed robbery before and described the scene as very disturbing, adding that her money and other items including TV sets, Mobile Phone and other items were taken away at gun point by the robbers. She said the harassment and threat being encountered by doctors, nurses and paramedical staffs at the hands of "these hardened criminals had been communicated to the Police and Effutu Municipal Assembly but to no avail". Mrs Brown said there were no street lights and security at the area and these had contributed to the situation.

Mr Emmanuel Essandoh, a Nurse, said armed robbers invaded his quarters at the same place some time this year and made away with items bought for his wedding and a TV set, mobile phones, jewels and other valuable personal effects.

When GNA contacted the Effutu Municipal Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Martin Asamoah, he confirmed the story and said that they are handicapped.

He said they had only one vehicle which was not enough for effective patrol duties and appealed to the people to assist the police to undertake armed robbery fighting. According to the Winneba Police Command, two other accomplices, namely Kojo and Kobbie (Alias Texaco) involved in the recent robbery were on the run and efforts were being made to apprehend them. ASP Asamoah said the student who had been arrested would be put before court as soon as investigations were completed. Mr Nii Ephraim, Effutu Municipal Chief Executive told the GNA that the Assembly would give a vehicle to the police before Christmas for patrols duties. 12 Dec. 09