A promising young life was cut short on Friday, June 13, when Awudu Gariba, a 14-year-old Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidate, collapsed and died during his final exams, a devastating incident that has reignited national outrage over Ghana’s healthcare crisis.

The student from Nnuanua Number 1 Basic School had shown visible signs of distress during Thursday’s exam but was denied medical care at the Adiembra CHPS compound due to the nurses’ strike.

Despite his deteriorating condition, Awudu returned to the exam hall on Friday morning, where he collapsed during the first paper.

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Rushed to Assin Fosu Polyclinic, he was pronounced dead on arrival, a fatality medical professionals later suggested could have been prevented with timely intervention.

This tragedy highlights the human cost of Ghana’s healthcare labour disputes as the government tries to resolve demands by nurses and midwives in relation to their conditions of service.

Isaac Opoku, Assin South District Education Director, confirmed the incident to Channel One.

He said, “Arrangements are being made to inform Awudu’s parents about the tragic incident.”