GMA calls for intensive security for doctors and other health professionals

Dr. Kwabena Opoku-Adusei, President of Ghana Medical Association (GMA), has expressed dismay at the death of 27-year-old Junior Doctor Desmond Kabah on May 27. Describing it as unfortunate, Dr Opoku-Adusei said security in general had been taken for granted in the country saying, "Our current security is porous and unfortunate that this young doctor has fallen victim".

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, he said while the country was crying for more doctors, the few who had availed themselves to work for mother Ghana had to work under strenuous conditions with little security.

Dr Opoku-Adusei, called for security at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital while security at other health facilities were beefed up, adding, "I hope this will serve as an eye-opener for the country to see the essence to ensure security not only in hospitals but at every institution in the country”.

He extended GMA’s deepest condolence to the bereaved family, management and staff of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and all doctors in the country.

"The GMA will at the appropriate time come out with an official statement on this issue," Dr Opoku-Adusei added.

The Junior Doctor was found dead in his room at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital’s Doctors flats at dawn on Monday, May 28 by friends; preliminary investigation revealed knife wounds on his body at the time he was found with some skin of his leg peeled off. His bed was found soaked with blood.

Earlier in the day, Junior Doctors, House Officers and other medical practitioners at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital presented a petition to management about the recent death of their colleague.

Dr Vincent Ganu, President of House Officers at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, said management had failed to execute its promise of providing them with the needed security and had asked for adequate security within the next 24 hours.

He noted that their current security could not be guaranteed since the hospital management had not given them any concrete assurance of their safety.

The Greater Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Freeman Tetteh, said the Police was investigating while waiting for the autopsy report to determine whether it was a murder or otherwise.

“So far no arrest has been made. We have intensified security at the hospital,” he added. **