The North East Region is facing a growing health crisis following the immediate closure of the Walewale Municipal Hospital laboratory by the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC).
The closure of the facility, which serves as a primary medical unit for the region has triggered widespread alarm among residents and local leaders.
The closure is part of a broader nationwide audit that has already resulted in the shuttering of seven private laboratories across Walewale, Langbinsi, and Gambaga due to severe safety failures, including the use of expired reagents, missing operating procedures, and the employment of unqualified staff.
Inspectors reported that, the Walewale facility suffered from significant structural decay, such as cracked walls and the presence of cobwebs, which were deemed a major risk for cross-contamination.
Professor Shirazu Issahaku, the Registrar of the AHPC, defended the action as a necessary move to protect the public.
“This comprehensive audit underscores a systemic commitment to eliminating unregulated practices and ensuring that all health facilities synchronize their internal protocols with rigorous national health standards,” he stated.
This development hits particularly hard in the North East Region, which is statistically identified as one of the poorest areas in the country.
The region has long struggled with a lack of basic medical infrastructure, and the loss of these laboratories has severely limited access to essential diagnostic care.
The North East Regional Minister, Ibrahim Tia, expressed deep concern, emphasizing that while safety protocols must be followed, the closure of key facilities threatens to overwhelm an already fragile healthcare system.
He has called for an urgent, coordinated effort to boost health standards and infrastructure to ensure the region is not left behind.
The North East Regional Health Director, Godfred Kwabena Sarpong, also addressed the situation, indicating that, his office is working closely with the Council to resolve these systemic failures.
The Director acknowledged the severe resource constraints facing the region but stressed that the priority is to restore services as quickly as possible while ensuring that every facility meets the necessary legal and professional standards to keep patients safe.
Dr. Lartey, the Medical Superintendent at the Walewale Municipal Hospital, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, noting that “the cessation of services will profoundly disrupt healthcare delivery and worsen the clinical challenges faced by residents who depend on the hospital for essential medical services.”
The loss of trust is palpable among the local population. Mma Azara, a mother of five who has always relied on the hospital for her family’s care, expressed her disappointment at the news.
“I have lost hope in the hospital and no longer trust their services due to the revelation that the hospital laboratory works with unprofessional health care personnel,” she said.
Management at the hospital has been given a two-week window to fix these issues and align with national requirements.
As the AHPC continues its audit across the country, the situation in the North East remains a critical test of the region’s ability to overcome its status as one of the most underserved areas in the nation.
Both officials and residents are now calling for urgent, long-term investment to ensure that their health facilities are not only safe but also fully capable of meeting the needs of the community.
By Alice Mba-Nyeya Guma
