Management of the Wa Municipal Hospital has directed 19 staff of the facility to refund various sums of money believed to have been illegally earned from clients of the facility. The decision for reimbursement was arrived at after a six-member disciplinary committee found the 19 workers culpable for engaging in indiscriminate sales of non-drug medical consumables, making improper demands from clients and collecting unauthorised fees at the maternity ward of the hospital.
According to the Management, the refunds, ranging between GH¢4 and GH¢286 are part of other punitive measures imposed on the affected staff by the six-member disciplinary committee tasked to investigate complaints of extortion, insubordination and charging of illegal fees, as well as the illegal sale of non-drug consumables at the hospital.
The administrator of the Wa Municipal Hospital, Sampson Abu, confirming the issue on Channel One TV, indicated that management decided to investigate the staff after receiving several complaints of inappropriate behaviours.
“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.
“So in our quest to demonstrate commitment to upholding the dignity of both clients and staff, a committee was formed to investigate the issues and the investigations came out with evidence implicating a number of midwives in grave violations.”
The administrator cited surgical gloves, urinary catheters, urine bags, pads and bed mats as some of the non-drug medical consumables sold by the midwives to expectant mothers at the maternity ward, on the blind side of the hospital’s authorities.
It is very appalling and sad to see our healthcare providers extorting money from patients. By their nature, hospitals are where patients and their families seek care, comfort and assistance. For expectant mothers, who often face vulnerable moments in their lives, the idea of being exploited in a hospital is not only distressing but also deeply unethical.
The sale of items like surgical gloves, urinary catheters, urine bags and other non-drug consumables is an obvious violation of hospital regulations and exposes patients to further financial strain. For many families, the extra costs may be unbearable and worse still, it places a burden on patients already navigating the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy and childbirth.
The amounts involved may appear modest on the surface, but they signify a much larger problem. It is not just the amount of money that matters but the principle behind the actions of those staff members. These illegal practices have diminished the dignity of the patients who should have been treated with respect and empathy.
Moreover, the unlawful collection of fees, however small, speaks to a broader culture of impunity that, if left unchecked, can metastasise within the institution and compromise the integrity of healthcare delivery.
What is more troubling is that this misconduct was carried out despite clear management policies designed to safeguard patients from such exploitation. The fact that these violations occurred under the noses of hospital authorities suggests a deeper institutional weakness in oversight.
It raises a question of how effective are the systems in place to prevent such abuses? While the disciplinary committee’s investigation has brought these malpractices to light, it begs the question of whether such issues are isolated incidents or symptomatic of a wider problem within the hospital, and possibly, other healthcare facilities across the country.
The swift action taken by the Wa Municipal Hospital’s administration is commendable. The hospital’s management is demonstrating a commitment to restoring the trust that has been shattered by these unethical practices.
The decision to refund the illegally obtained sums of money, while a necessary step, should only be the beginning. The punitive measures imposed on the staff involved must serve as a deterrent, signaling that such behavior will not be tolerated.
However, a punitive approach alone is insufficient. The hospital must take proactive measures to prevent future occurrences, including strengthening its internal monitoring systems and ensuring that there are clear, accessible channels for patients to report any misconduct without fear of retaliation.
Moreover, other healthcare system in Ghana must learn from this incident. It is a reminder that even in environments where trust and care are paramount, there is the potential for unethical behavior if the proper checks and balances are not in place.
