The Ministry of Health has rejected allegations that its investigative committee failed to consult a key physician in the probe into the alleged assault on a nurse at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ridge.
The committee’s final report, presented to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, concluded that while no physical assault took place, a verbal confrontation occurred between Ralph St Williams — the man at the centre of the controversy — and hospital staff.
The probe also uncovered deep-rooted systemic lapses at the facility, including staff shortages, broken diagnostic equipment, and weak security measures at the Emergency Department.
Nurse Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, who reported pain in her left hand a day after the incident, was treated with pain medication and psychological support. Medical records, however, showed no fracture or dislocation.
Despite the findings, the Greater Accra Chairman of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Jefferson Asare, insisted the report was incomplete. He argued that the attending physician had diagnosed polycontusion — multiple bruises accompanied by swelling and redness — and that excluding the doctor from the interview process undermined the report’s credibility.
But the Ministry strongly disagrees. Tony Goodman, spokesperson for the Ministry and a member of the investigative committee, dismissed the claims in an interview on Channel One TV’s Point of View.
“That is not correct. We have spoken with everybody, including the doctor who saw the lady. He is a specialist, and this committee’s work cannot be rubbished,” Mr Goodman stressed.
He emphasised that the committee’s focus was not about assigning blame but on strengthening healthcare delivery.
“This is an extensive work that has been done. We are not looking at who is at fault… We are looking at how best we can strengthen our system,” he added.
The Ministry has pledged to implement the committee’s recommendations, including improving security, boosting staff numbers, and fixing critical diagnostic infrastructure at Ridge Hospital.
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