Healthcare workers in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region are facing significant challenges following the imposition of a nighttime curfew, which they say is affecting their ability to provide essential medical services.
The curfew, enforced by the Ministry for the Interior from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, was introduced on January 28, as a security measure in response to violent tribal clashes that resulted in multiple fatalities.
While the curfew aims to restore peace and order, it has unintended consequences on health service delivery, particularly emergency response services, community outreach programmes, and general hospital operations.
The Oti Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Osei Kuffour Afreh expressed deep concern over the impact of the restrictions, stating that healthcare workers are now fearful and hesitant to move around, especially at night, for fear of violence.
Speaking to journalists after the 2024 Regional Health Review, Dr. Afreh revealed that healthcare delivery has come under intense pressure since the curfew was implemented.
He lamented that the ongoing insecurity has already claimed the life of a health worker, further heightening anxiety among medical personnel.
“The curfew is really affecting healthcare delivery in the Nkwanta South Municipality. Unfortunately, during the recent clashes in January this year, through that, one of our health workers, an IT manager, was shot dead at home.
“And this has put a lot of fear in the health workers here. And it is really affecting them going out to deliver health care services. One of our vehicles that was en route to the community for outreach services also received some bullets of about 30 bullet holes.”
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