Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has revealed that several people have been arrested in connection with the alleged attack on nurses and other health staff at Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge).
In an interview with Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, the Minister stated that the situation is now in the hands of the police.
“I can confirm that some arrests have been made. “Anyone who says otherwise is not telling the truth and is not willing to help solve the problem,” Mr Akandoh emphasised.
When questioned if the man described as Ralph Saint Williams and his accomplices, who reportedly attacked a nurse, were among those arrested, he said the police needed space to perform their job.
“We should let the police do their job. I will not sit back and allow things to go wrong in my field. “No one is above the laws of this country,” he stated.
According to him, the administration is well on top of the situation and has been receiving daily updates from the hospital.
“The system is up and operating, and I am currently receiving updates. “We are on track,” he reassured.
His comments come after a viral video surfaced showing relatives of a patient aggressively beating medical staff at Ridge Hospital’s emergency room, causing public outrage and renewing concerns about the safety of frontline health workers.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the police to arrest Ralph Saint Williams and his collaborators, warning that failure to act could result in further action from the association.
The Health Minister also announced that a five-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident.
According to the minister, the group, which includes a lawyer, an auditor, a human resource officer, a medical doctor, and a nurse, was formed following his visit to the hospital on Monday.
He explained that the investigation will have a dual approach: the ministry will tackle administrative matters, while the police will handle the criminal side.
“These are the two angles we will be working from, so the law will take its own course,” he explained.
Mr Akandoh stated that the findings of the study will help to strengthen hospital protocols and improve safety for both patients and healthcare professionals.
