The Medical Director of the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital has been temporarily relieved of his post pending the outcome of an investigation into the reported event, according to the Director-General(DG) of Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kumah-Aboagye.
In a letter sighted by The Accra Times addressed to the Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye dated June 14, 2024, the DG said the circumstances leading to officials of the hospital abandoning a patient in the bush at Gomoa Ojobi are under investigation.
“An emergency meeting was held today Friday 14th June 2024 at the Ghana Health Service Headquarters with the Medical Director of the Hospital who confirmed the occurrence of the event reported in the various media outlets except the surrounding facts which appeared different from what was reported,” he said.
In a bid to effectively carry out the investigation, the GHS has directed the temporary removal of the MD in charge of the facility allegedly responsible for abandoning the deceased woman.
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“To ensure credibility and unfettered access to all relevant information, the Medical Director has temporarily been relieved of his post pending the outcome of the investigation,” Kumah-Aboagye said.
He also announced the formation of a 5-member committee to investigate the issue.
“Consequently, a committee has been constituted to conduct independent enquiry into the matter to enable the Service take appropriate action,” the statement read.
The committee in question comprises the Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon from the Ridge Hospital, a representative from the Ministry of Health, a representative from the Social Welfare Department, and a Senior Nurse Manager.
In response to the letter from GHS, the Minister of Health, Dr Okoe-Boye has given the GHS a maximum of 30 days to finalize investigations and submit a report.
“I have taken notice of the decision to direct the Medical Director of the hospital to step aside from his post pending the outcome of the investigation.
It is the position of the Ministry that this process is concluded within a maximum of 30 days from the date of constitution of the committee and a report submitted to my office,” Okoe-Boye said.
