Ridge probe clears assault claims, spotlights systemic failures at emergency unit

The Ministry of Health has clarified that investigations into the alleged assault of a nurse at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital have found no evidence of physical attack, contrary to claims that sparked public outrage earlier this month.

The nurse, Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, had reported pain in her left hand the day after a heated altercation involving Ralph St. Williams, a relative of a patient. Medical examinations, however, revealed no fractures or dislocations. She was discharged with pain relief medication and given psychological support. The committee emphasized that while verbal exchanges and tension did occur, there was no assault that caused physical harm.

Despite ruling out the assault claim, the committee’s report painted a troubling picture of systemic failures at the emergency department. Investigators discovered severe staffing shortages, with only one medical officer available per shift and more than half of the scheduled nurses absent. These shortages, the report noted, had been a recurring challenge that placed immense strain on the few staff present.

The report also flagged serious gaps in hospital infrastructure. Essential diagnostic equipment such as X-ray, CT, and MRI scanners were non-functional at the time of the incident, forcing delays in patient care and increasing reliance on external facilities. In addition, the hospital’s security arrangements were described as grossly inadequate. With only one private security guard covering a 12-hour shift and the hospital police post located far from the emergency department, staff remained vulnerable in high-pressure situations involving distressed or aggressive relatives of patients.

Concerns were also raised by some stakeholders that the doctor who first assessed the nurse was not consulted during the probe. The Ministry has since dismissed these claims, insisting that all relevant parties, including the attending physician, were interviewed and their input considered. Officials stressed that the report was not designed to apportion blame but to strengthen the country’s healthcare delivery system.

The committee’s recommendations include:

Immediate recruitment and deployment of additional medical staff to address shortages.
Repair and replacement of non-functional diagnostic machines.
Strengthening hospital security through the installation of CCTV cameras and the deployment of additional police personnel closer to the emergency department.
Regular welfare and psychological support for frontline healthcare workers who often operate under intense pressure.