Wa: 19 Midwives caught selling medical consumables

Wa, Upper West Region - A damning disciplinary committee report has implicated 19 staff members of the Wa Municipal Hospital in a web of illicit activities, including extortion, unauthorized fee collection, and the sale of non-drug medical consumables.

The staff, who were investigated for extortion, insubordination, and unauthorized fee collection, were also found to have sold non-drug medical consumables indiscriminately, making improper demands from clients, and collecting unapproved fees at the maternity ward.

According to hospital administrator Sampson Abu, the refunds are part of a broader range of punitive measures imposed by the six-member disciplinary committee.

The investigation was sparked by numerous complaints of inappropriate behavior by hospital staff.

The affected staff will be required to refund amounts ranging from GH¢4 to GH¢286, as the hospital cracks down on misconduct and ensures accountability among its employees.

Sparkson Abu, the administrator of Wa Municipal Hospital, confirmed on Channel One TV that an investigation was launched after receiving multiple complaints about staff misconduct.

He revealed that midwives at the maternity ward were secretly selling non-drug medical consumables, such as surgical gloves and urine bags, to expectant mothers, and also making unauthorized demands and collecting illegal fees.

These actions violate the Ghana Health Service's code of conduct.

As a result, affected staff will refund the illegal earnings, face changes in their work schedules or locations, and receive other penalties based on the severity of their offenses. Abu emphasized that these actions align with the Ghana Health Service's disciplinary procedures.

The hospital management assured the public that they are taking steps to address the issue and encouraged people to continue trusting the facility and reporting any concerns. When contacted, the affected midwives declined to comment, stating they would meet and respond collectively.

“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," he stated.

Source: Lead News Online