Committee rejects delay claims in Ridge Hospital assault case, faulty equipment blamed

An investigative committee established by the Ministry of Health has dismissed allegations that health workers at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge) deliberately delayed treatment for an accident victim, a claim that sparked an altercation leading to the alleged assault of a nurse and the vandalisation of hospital property on August 17.

The committee, chaired by Dr. Lawrence Ofori-Boadu, Director of Institutional Care at the Ghana Health Service, concluded that medical staff responded promptly to the patient, who had sustained a suspected head injury. 

However, their efforts were hindered by the non-functioning state of all diagnostic imaging equipment at the emergency department, including the X-ray, CT scan, and MRI machines. The committee said this breakdown forced doctors to refer patients outside the hospital for critical scans, causing delays in initiating treatment.

“The lack of functioning imaging equipment significantly contributed to the delays in patient disposition and was the primary source of agitation among relatives and motorbike riders who accompanied the victim,” the report stated.

The patient, identified as Mr. Oppong, was eventually treated and discharged after sustaining a basal skull fracture. The report emphasised that while his case drew public outrage, there was no evidence to suggest medical negligence.

The committee recommended that government urgently retool hospitals with essential diagnostic equipment to strengthen emergency care. It also urged the Ministry of Health to expand capacity at Ridge and other major facilities to reduce congestion and avoid similar confrontations.