'Missing baby’ an error - KATH

Authorities at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have said that an “error” and miscommunication had resulted in earlier reports by a couple that their baby had gone missing.

Accordion to Professor Sampson Antwi, Acting Head of KATH Child Health Department at the hospital, “there was a very small mishap or mistake and we are sorry for that, but it has been rectified”, adding: “Indeed, no baby is missing from my hospital.”

A young couple at Adankwame near Barekesse in the Atwima Nwabiagya district had accused nurses at the hospital of stealing their new born baby.

Speaking to Adehye News’ Owoahene Addai Mununkum on Thursday, March 30, the husband, Solomon Boakye Ansah, said he took his wife, Abigail Apoku, who was in labour to the hospital on Sunday, March 26 and was later informed that his new born baby had died.

He indicated that he was told by nurses that his family member had signed to that effect but Nana Kwame denied and accused the nurses of stealing his baby.

“On Monday, the baby was healthy but on Wednesday I was told that the baby had died and a relative had signed for the baby to be taken to the mortuary, but it is my name that has been with the officials when we went to the hospital. I want them to produce that relative,” he indicated.

It later emerged that an error in documentation when the child died later had led to a misunderstanding resulting in the couple perceiving that their child was missing, Prof Antwi told Class News’ Ashanti regional correspondent Hafiz Tijani in a later development.

“That particular day there were two babies that had died so the nurse called the names of the mothers (Abigail Opoku and Emelia Bono) to come and certify [the death of the babies]. But Abigail was on admission and Emelia showed up and when she was thumb printing she mistakenly thumb printed against Abigail Opoku, so Emelia Bono’s place was vacant and as far as the nurses were concerned no relative had come and kept on calling Emelia.

“The father [of the baby, Emelia’s husband] who happened to have been around to pay some bills, showed up and signed at the space for Emelia. Meanwhile, Abigail Opoku’s place had been thumb printed by Emelia already.

“Abigail Opoku’s parents had not been informed yet, so when they came later to check, the nurse referred to the folder and told them a relative had signed. The communication had not gone well. Later, Emelia and her husband confirmed that they both signed, which was not supposed to be so.

“So we sent Abigail’s Opoku’s relatives to the mortuary and confirmed the body of the baby,” he explained.

He admitted that the nurses should have been more meticulous and will do due diligence in subsequent situations.

“Our staff should have checked…this has happened before and we will hold a meeting to emphasise the need for proper documentation. Our staff numbers are small and sometimes you have a lot of babies to attend to under pressure and these things must be checked,” he added.

Meanwhile, grandmother of the identified baby, Akua Afriyie, has confirmed the development, adding: “When I checked the body, it was my grandchild.”

She, however, apologised to the hospital for being quick in disclosing the situation to the media, resulting in pressure on the hospital.