Elderly patient found in bush was a victim of a hit and run – Dr. George Kwame Prah

The Trauma and Specialist Hospital, Dr George Kwame Prah in Winneba has filed a detailed incident report concerning the tragic death of an elderly woman who was allegedly abandoned by the hospital, leading to her demise due to administrative issues.

The hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. George Kwame Prah, revealed that the woman was a victim of a hit-and-run accident, contrary to initial reports.

The elderly woman, involved in the accident, was reportedly left in a bush because her family could not be located, resulting in her passing away after three days.

Dr. George Kwame Prah (PhD), Medical Director of the facility has submitted and signed a comprehensive report, which provides detailed insights into the incident.

The victim was brought to the hospital by the National Ambulance Service, accompanied by the Social Welfare Officer of Gomoa Ojobi. Treatment began immediately, with Plaster of Paris (POP) casts applied to both lower limbs due to fractures in the tibia bones. The hospital assumed full responsibility for the patient’s feeding, medication, and housekeeping.

After six days of treatment, the patient was discharged on June 3, 2024, having been declared well. Medical records were tendered as evidence. It was established that the patient was from the Gomoa Ojobi community, where she was initially picked up by the National Ambulance Service.

During treatment, the patient exhibited disorientation and some violent behavior. However, she calmed down after regaining strength and expressed a desire to return to where she was found.

A consensus was reached by two social welfare officers to transport the patient back to Gomoa Ojobi. The hospital ambulance, accompanied by the social welfare officer and a staff member, transported her to her preferred destination after clothing her and providing a wheelchair.

Before departure, the Social Welfare Officer coordinated with their counterpart in Ojobi, who assured that the patient would be taken over upon arrival.

The hospital emphasized that it had fulfilled its responsibilities by providing necessary care and support to the patient. Dr. Prah George Kwame stressed that the Trauma and Specialist Hospital in Winneba operates with well-trained health professionals committed to maintaining the highest standards of care.

“Management would like to appreciate the sentiments expressed by the public regarding this unfortunate incidence. This is a learning curve and a bitter lesson to learn, and promised not to repeat it again in the life history of the hospital,” it added.

Meanwhile, responding to this incident, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, has temporarily relieved the facility’s Director of duties and established a five-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the patient in Gomoa Ojobi.

Sources: TIGpost.com