The Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) has stated that it is collaborating with relevant institutions to gather information on the abandonment of a patient from the Trauma and Specialist Hospital, Winneba, in a bush at Gomoa Ojobi in the Central Region.

The elderly woman, who was reportedly suffering from what was suspected to be mental illness or dementia, was involved in an accident and was taken to the Trauma and Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

She died on Monday, June 10, 2024, after a week of being abandoned at the roadside near a bush.

Reacting to this, the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency said in a press release, “The Health Facilities Regulatory Agency has taken notice of the story, making waves in various media outlets regarding the unfortunate incident that involved a patient who was discharged from the Trauma and Specialist Hospital, Winneba, allegedly deserted in a bush, which culminated in her death.”

“We are deeply committed to this matter, as the details surrounding the incident are still under investigation. We are actively collaborating with relevant institutions to gather all the information and determine the facts of what occurred,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Medical Director of the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital has been temporarily relieved of his duties pending an investigation by a committee established by the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

A statement signed by the GHS’ Director-General, Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, in a letter updating the Minister of Health on the incident on Friday, June 14, stated that the service’s move was “to ensure credibility and unfettered access to all relevant information, the Medical Director has temporarily been relieved of his post pending the outcome of the investigation.”

He assured that the appropriate action would be taken at the end of the inquiry to ensure that any persons connected with the unfortunate incident were brought to book.