The police in the Eastern Region have arrested two officers of New Senchi Health Centre at Akrade in the Asuogyaman District for allegedly prescribing injection for four patients which led to their untimely deaths.

The four reportedly died after having complications following what health officials believe to be contaminated medicine used to inject them.

ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, Regional Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed that the two suspects – James Yeboah, 65, a retired field technician at New Senchi Health Centre (Disease Control Unit) and Simon Tarkrama, 42, a physician assistant-in-charge of the same centre – are in custody and preliminary investigations showed that they were responsible for the injections that led to the deaths of the patients.

According to the police, health officials had explained to them that the patients suffered from adverse reactions described as injection site abscess, skin necrosis and ulcers caused by the said injection which had been prescribed by James Yeboah.

The police said the District Health Director of Asuogyaman, Abdul Aziz Abdulai, accompanied by two other staff of the directorate, filed a complaint that on 19th March, 2018 some patients were admitted at the hospital after they had been injected at the New Senchi Health Center.

According to the police, following the injection, Madam Eugenia Gakper, 44, died at the VRA Hospital on 25th March, 2018, followed by Kwadwo Agyei Kyeremeh, 31, who died on 27th March, 2018 and then Alhaji Yobi Banda, who died at the Akuse Hospital.

“Both suspects were re-arrested and cautioned. Enquiries were extended to the VRA Hospital at Akosombo, where a medical officer at the facility was met at post with a team of medical investigators from the Regional Health Directorate, Koforidua,” the police spokesperson said.

ASP Ebenezer Tetteh explained further, “Dr Nartey, the Medical Superintendent at VRA, was not around to give a report or statement on the matter. However, he led the police to the hospital mortuary where deceased Kwadwo Agyei Kyereme and Eugenia Gakper were seen in the morgue.

“Further enquiries were extended to the Akuse Government Hospital where it was alleged that Alhaji Yobi Banda was sent for treatment. But the medical personnel met on duty told the police that the hospital administrator was not at post, hence could not comment on the issue.”

In a related development, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has said contaminated medication could be the cause of the deaths of the patients.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that these reactions may be due to contaminated 0.9% Normal Saline, the solution which was used to reconstitute (mix) the Benzathine Penicillin Powder for Injection. The 0.9% Normal Saline solution was reported to have been opened and used repeatedly for several days, which might have resulted in the contamination,” the FDA noted in a statement.

It explained, “One of the components identified as 0.9% Normal Saline, which was mixed with Benzathine Penicillin powder for the injection and meant to treat skin infections of a woman, Eugenia Atsupui Gakper, was contaminated due to poor storage, leading to her death.”