Executive Director of the African Center for Health Policy and Analysis and a health advocate, Dr Thomas Anaba, has called for swift prosecution of medical officers at the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital in the Central Region, who are accused of abandoning a woman in a bush at Gomoa on June 13 instead of providing her with the necessary medical care leading to her death.
Almost four months on, the Health minister Dr Bernard Okoe Boye has referred the conduct of the medical staff to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Attorney General for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Dr. Okoe Boye emphasized that internal disciplinary measures would not preclude further legal action.
“Internal disciplinary action is an important first step, but in cases of this magnitude, the legal system must also be engaged to ensure comprehensive accountability,” he stated.
It would be recalled that in June 13 , 2024, a patient said to be on admission at the Trauma and Specialist Hospital at Winneba was discharged and abandoned in a bush.
Reports alledged that an ambulance from the hospital was used to transport and dump the old woman who was still recovering from leg injuries after an accident at the roadside near a bush.
Photos and videos shared on the internet showed the woman lying by the roadside with P.O.P. on both legs and a wheelchair lying by her side.
It was a passer-by who offered a cloth to help keep the old woman warm when she exhibited signs of feeling cold.
Prior to her death after some days, reports indicated that the old woman suspected to be suffering from mental illness or dementia was reportedly involved in an accident and was taken to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
After some time on admission, the elderly woman after gaining consciousness was only able to give an indication that she was from Gomoa Ojobi in the Central Region.
Apart from that, she could not give hospital staff much information about herself to assist them trace her relatives and no family member showed up at the hospital to engage the management of the hospital.
Reportedly, when the hospital authorities became fed up with her, especially as some hospital staff claimed she was constantly screaming at night, being violent and disturbing patients and staff, they decided to go out to search for her relatives.
The GHS investigative committee established to look into the matter which started its work on June 20, 2024 and ended on July 25, 2024 established that the deceased was admitted at the Winneba Hospital on May 29, 2024 and discharged on June 13, 2024.
The committee also established that she was not a native of Gomoa Ojobi or was living in the area.
The first time the community members saw her was the day they found her lying in a gutter with injuries and she was first taken to the Ojobi Health Centre with the help of the Assembly Member for the area.
Executive Director of the African Center for Health Policy and Analysis and a health advocate, Dr Thomas Anaba Dr Anaba wants all those involved prosecuted to serve as a deterrent.
