The National Executive Council of the Health Services Workers Union (HSWU) of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has made a clarion call to government, the Ministry of Health and other policymakers to adequately resource health systems in the country to meet the “Abuja Declaration” to cure the no-bed syndrome.

It said the union remained committed to cooperating fully with investigative bodies and policymakers to ensure that positive reforms were developed and implemented in the best interest of the citizenry.

The Abuja Declaration is a pledge by African Union (AU) member states in Abuja, Nigeria, to allocate at least 15 per cent of their annual national budgets to improve their health sector.

In a communique read by its General Secretary, Franklin Owusu Ansah, at the close of their meeting in Tema recently, he said as a union representing allied health professionals, paramedics and support staff across the country, "we do not take the pain of grieving families nor the legitimate demand for accountability lightly".

He, therefore, stated that it was unjust to single out front-line workers in the two recent "distressing incidents" in the health sector.

Mr Ansah said health workers operated within clearly defined administrative, legal and institutional frameworks, while triage decisions, admissions, emergency stabilisation and referrals were guided by established protocols set by management and regulatory authorities.

Hit and run victim

Making specific reference to the alleged handling of a hit-and-run victim and the reported baby theft at the Mamprobi Polyclinic also in Accra, Mr Ansah said, despite systemic inadequacies, the narrative currently gaining traction was unfair and risks demonising thousands of dedicated professionals who continued to work under extremely challenging conditions to save lives daily.

“First and foremost, we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families affected by these tragic events.

Any loss of life, alleged negligence, or security breach within a healthcare environment is a matter of grave concern.

As a union representing allied health professionals, paramedics and support staff across the country,” he stated, adding, "We do not take lightly the pain of grieving families nor the legitimate demand for accountability lightly.”

He said while investigations were ongoing, Mr Ansah said it was important that the union clarified certain systemic realities.

“If there were lapses in the management of the hit-and-run victim’s case, those issues must be investigated transparently and addressed institutionally, not weaponised against the entire workforce,” he indicated, saying that discussions surrounding the handling of the hit-and-run victim had raised questions about emergency response protocols and hospital procedures. 

Baby theft

On the alleged baby theft incident at the Mamprobi Ploy Clinic, Mr Ansah said while the safety of newborns were non-negotiable priority, portraying healthcare workers as complicit or negligent without conclusive evidence was equally unfair.

“It is, therefore, necessary to correct certain security lapses through structural review and reform, not public condemnation of professionals who are already working under emotional and physical strain,” he said and urged Parliament and the general public to allow investigative processes to proceed without jumping to conclusions.

The HSWU General Secretary said healthcare professionals were bound by ethical codes and professional standards of practice, and could not deliberately withhold care or wish harm upon a patient.