Resign if you are tired – Parliament’s health commitee tells medical professionals after Charles Amissah death probe

Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee, Mark Kurt Nawaane, has urged medical professionals who feel overwhelmed or unable to meet the demands of the healthcare profession to resign, following revelations from an investigative report into the death of Charles Amissah.

Speaking after receiving findings from a three-member investigative committee chaired by Agyeman Badu Akosah, Mr Nawaane stressed that Ghana’s healthcare system depends heavily on professionalism, ethical conduct, and accountability among health workers.

“If you are a medical professional and you are tired of the work, you probably have to resign. I’m telling you,” he stated.

The investigative committee reportedly recommended disciplinary action against several health workers over alleged professional breaches in the handling of Charles Amissah, whose death sparked widespread public outrage and renewed scrutiny of emergency healthcare delivery in Ghana.

Mr Nawaane commended the committee for what he described as a transparent and bold approach, particularly its decision to identify individuals allegedly involved in the case rather than focusing solely on institutional shortcomings.

“Immediately we started and mentioned medical negligence and even started coming up with names, and I said thank God, this is a step forward,” he said.

According to the Health Committee Chairman, previous investigations into healthcare failures often concentrated on facilities and systemic problems while avoiding individual accountability.

He argued that the latest report marks a significant shift by recognizing that professional responsibility also lies with individual healthcare workers whose decisions and actions directly affect patient outcomes.

“Now we are saying that it is beyond just a facility. It is the individuals,” he explained.

Mr Nawaane further stressed that medical practitioners must adhere strictly to ethical standards and established medical procedures when treating patients, especially during emergency situations.

He noted that healthcare professionals are expected to seek guidance or referrals from senior colleagues whenever they encounter cases beyond their expertise or capacity.

“If you are ready to work, please, there are ethics. If you can’t do something, you call your colleague doctor, your senior doctor,” he stated.

The comments come amid growing national debate over accountability, emergency response failures, and medical negligence following the publication of findings into Charles Amissah’s death.

The case has triggered calls for major reforms within Ghana’s healthcare system, including improvements in emergency care infrastructure, professional training, supervision, and enforcement of ethical standards among health workers.