General News of Monday, 22 July 2002
Source: GHANA ARMED FORCES PRESS RELEASE
GHANA ARMED FORCES PRESS RELEASERE- CONTROVERSY AT 37 MILITARY HOSPITALIssued by the Public Relations Directorate, General Headquarters Burma Camp, Accra
Tel: 775665 Release No. 71 July 2002
From the time of admission to the day of death, everything medically possible was done for the patient to be induced to have the dead baby delivered. At about 0153 hours labour progressed to the “delivery of a macerated male infant”. At 0155 hours the third stage was completed successfully after the placenta and membranes were completely expelled.
It is on record that the uterus was well contracted and firm and she was prepared for the ward after the baby was shown to her and she was reassured. It was however noticed that the patient started bleeding soon after and the Doctor’s attention was drawn.
He did everything medically possible to save the life of the patient but unfortunately at 0230 hours the patient expired.
The Hospital further indicates that the reported request by the husband, Mr. Young and the patient to have a caesarean operation was under the circumstances not the best option as the baby was already dead and there was “no obstetrics contra indication for spontaneous vaginal delivery”. Additionally, a Caesarean section would have exposed her to all the risks of surgery and also limit her reproductive future.
In as much as we regret the death of the patient, we wish to state that the medical staff conducted themselves professionally and did whatever was possible to save Mrs. Nyame’s life.
We wish to assure the public that the Military Hospital Staff are doing their best to serve the nation by providing safe and secure medicare and such unfortunate incidents should not be seen as “negligence” thereby creating bad blood between the hospital and its patients or individuals who are seeking quality health care.
The Military Hospital and indeed the Ghana Armed Forces with to express their condolences to the bereaved family for the loss of a loved one and assure them that the hospital would continue to offer quality health care to all Ghanaians who seek it.
EWK NIBO
Lt. Col
Director of Public Relations
THE EDITOR
CRUSADING GUIDE
ACCRA