The Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) has launched an investigation into the alleged medical malpractices and equipment failures at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.

The initiative by the health regulatory body follows a report on the death of 48-year-old Solomon Asare Kumah who was sent to 37 Military Hospital to undergo brain surgery to remove a mass on his frontal lobe.

The surgery was scheduled to happen as soon as practicable, once his family had paid an amount of ¢25,000 out of ¢40,000 for the operation.

However, according to the brother of the deceased, Emmanuel Asare Kumah, the surgeon assigned to his brother’s case at 37 Military Hospital came up with a myriad of excuses which followed one after the other and thus, delaying what was meant to be a necessary emergency procedure.

The details of the late Mr Asare Kumah’s case suggest that the hospital’s doctor’s runaround could have resulted in the unfortunate death of Solomon Asare Kumah at the 37 Military Hospital.

The investigations led by the Management of HeFRA in collaboration with the management of 37 Military Hospital and the Commandant at the Burma Camp, will seek to find facts of the alleged medical negligence incidents which occurred at the 37 Military Hospital.

Read the press release from the Management and the Board of HeFRA below

The Management and the Board of the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency, HeFRA (established under ACT 829, 2011), have received a report on alleged medical malpractices and equipment failures at the 37 Military Hospital and has constituted a fact-finding team to ascertain the authenticity of the report.

The report indicated the following:

Alleged delays in carrying out emergency brain surgery/procedure leading to the death of the victim.

Alleged breakdown of equipment leading to the inability to carry out brain surgery.

Alleged breakdown of diagnostic equipment needed for follow-up studies to guide on-going care.

Alleged professional misconduct and negligence of care.

Alleged medical professional malpractices with regard to unauthorized charges and collection of fees for emergency brain surgery.

Others

HeFRA wishes to assure the general public that the incidents are under investigation. Contacts have been made at the management of the 37 Military Hospital and the Commandant at the Burma Camp. Additional investigative tools are deployed to identify and thoroughly address the issues.

If anyone has additional information or complaints may kindly forward them to info@hefra.gov.gh or call 0302900995.

Ag. Registrar, Health Facilities Regulatory Agency