The Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, has criticized the Minority for what he described as attempts to politicize the recent assault on medical staff at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge).
The incident, which went viral on social media, showed relatives of an accident victim clashing with emergency staff over alleged delays in treatment.
The altercation escalated, with activist Ralph St. William accused of assaulting a nurse, leading to police intervention.
Following the incident, the Health Minister visited the hospital, condemned the attack, and pledged improved security.
However, footage of him later seen in a cordial handshake with Mr. St. William drew sharp criticism from both the Minority and the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), who warned that such optics risk emboldening similar behavior.
READ: Striking not an option, allow police to handle Ridge Hospital assault – Nawaane to GRNMA
In a statement, the Minority argued that the Minister’s interaction with the alleged perpetrator suggested “a dangerous tolerance for lawlessness” and claimed those involved had links to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
But addressing a press conference on Wednesday, August 20, Dr. Nawaane, who is also the Member of Parliament for Nabdam, dismissed those claims as “unfortunate and unnecessary.”
He warned the Minority to avoid politicising events that are of national concern.
“I thought that given what happened, we would unite as a nation and condemn it. Yet, they are trying to say that these are people aligned with the NDC. That is very unfortunate,” he said.
Dr. Nawaane reaffirmed Parliament’s Health Committee’s support for medical workers and pledged to ensure that the matter is thoroughly investigated and that the culprits face justice.
“Inasmuch as it is an unfortunate situation, I want to call on the medical staff that the Health Committee of Parliament is with them in this trying moment. We are going to ensure that the case is investigated, and we are also going to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book,” he stressed.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
