Johnnie Hughes, a well-known air personality and journalist, has strongly criticised recent comments made by a doctor from the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) regarding the death of a 31-year-old patient, stating that it was being “blown out of proportion.”
Hughes expressed his disbelief at the suggestion that the death of an individual could be trivialized in such a manner.
“How can anyone suggest that a death, especially one that has impacted a family, is being blown out of proportion? We need to season our words with salt, making sure they make sense before we speak them out loud,” he said on his show on 3FM monitored by MyNewsGh.
Hughes raised concerns about the broader situation, questioning why doctors and nurses are demanding apologies from government officials when the minister’s visit to the hospital revealed issues like dirty washrooms and water shortages.
“What exactly are they apologizing for? Is it because the hospital’s conditions were highlighted during the unannounced visit?” he asked.
He further emphasized that the medical professionals should not be engaging in ego trips, stating that the hospital has received millions of cedis in support yet continues to face operational issues. “What has the money been used for? It’s time for introspection,” Hughes remarked.
On the topic of doctor-patient dynamics, Hughes reflected on the differences between local and international health systems, comparing the patient-centered approach abroad with the treatment patients receive in Ghana.
“In the UK, even hospital CEOs push beds to assist patients. Here, it’s a different story,” he pointed out.
Hughes concluded his critique by calling for the doctors to reconsider their stance on the apology demand, urging them to focus on serving the people rather than engaging in public squabbles. “Enough of the ego trips,” he added.
