Medical Director relieved amid patient abandonment probe
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has temporarily relieved the Medical Director of the Trauma and Specialist Hospital in Winneba of his duties, pending an investigation into allegations that a patient was abandoned in a bush at Gomoa Ojobi.
This decision follows an emergency meeting held on Friday at the GHS Headquarters, where the Medical Director confirmed the incident occurred but noted discrepancies between the reported facts and the actual events.
In response to the incident, the GHS has constituted a committee to conduct an independent inquiry. The committee includes the Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon from the Ridge Hospital, representatives from the Ministry of Health and the Social Welfare Department, and a Senior Nurse Manager.The GHS said it aims to ensure a thorough and unbiased investigation, with the committee having unfettered access to all relevant information.
The GHS reassured the public and stakeholders that appropriate actions will be taken following the inquiry to hold accountable any individuals involved in the incident.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is demanding the immediate summoning of the board and management of the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital and the Ministry of Health. Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Friday, June 14, Ablakwa described the act as the height of inhumanity that must be urgently addressed by summoning all the stakeholders involved.
“This is the height of inhumanity and Parliament should take an interest, and we have to summon the Health Minister, the Ghana Health Service, and the board and management of the Winneba Government Hospital,” Ablakwa stated. “We have to conduct an urgent probe into this matter, and this negligence, abuse of the 1992 Constitution, and the gross violation of the Hippocratic Oath of our doctors cannot be accepted.”
