Turned away to die: Emergency doctor provides painful blow-by-blow account of her brother's death over 'no-bed-syndrome' in 3 hospitals
Dr. Matilda Amissah recounted in heartbreaking detail how her brother, Charles Henry Amissah, died after a hit-and-run accident on February 6 at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Overpass. She spoke on the JoyNews National Dialogue on Ghana's Emergency Care Crisis on Thursday, April 2. According to accounts relayed to the family by police and the National Ambulance Service, Charles had been struck on his motorcycle and picked up within minutes. He was first taken to the Police Hospital, where staff cited a lack of bed space. He was then redirected to Ridge Hospital, but the same response allegedly followed-no bed space. He was then redirected to Korle Bu.
Dr. Amissah said she was on duty when the family realized Charles had gone missing. She said, "We started searching for him… We escalated to all media platforms, social media handles, even on the doctors' platforms, nurses' platforms." She described the moment she identified her brother's body at the morgue at Korle Bu as unbearable. She recalled visible injuries, deep wounds and burns, suggesting he had been dragged on the road after impact. She said, "It was heartbreaking looking at his wounds… a deep wound to his right shoulder and frictional burns."
Dr. Amissah believes her brother's death was preventable. She explained that the critical "golden hour" after trauma was lost. She questioned why no attempt was made to stabilise him. She expressed disbelief that an emergency patient could be turned away, saying, "An accident victim has been turned away… turned away to where? We are the health workers that are supposed to save lives."
Quick Summary
A Ghanaian doctor is in mourning after her brother was allegedly denied critical care following a tragic accident - raising questions about emergency protocols. The desperate search for help highlights a potential crisis in Ghana's healthcare system.
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