Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has revealed that the decision to suspend KATH Chief Executive Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo was rooted in a fundamental principle, that no individual has the authority to shut down part of a public health facility without ministerial approval.
Speaking in Parliament, Akandoh argued that public hospitals operate within a framework that ultimately places oversight responsibility on the Health Ministry.
“Nobody, absolutely nobody in this country has the right to close any portion of a public health facility without the consent of the state, in this case the Minister,” he said.
“Nobody has the right to close any portion of a health facility without the consent of the Health Minister.”
The Minister cited provisions of the law governing teaching hospitals to support his position.
“Section 36 clearly establishes that whatever the Minister directs, the board shall apply same,” he stated.
Akandoh further argued that ministerial directives are binding on hospital boards and management.
“The decision of the Minister is not subject to the review of the board. It is the decision of the board that is subject to the review of the Minister,” he said.
