By Edmund Mingle
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Hospital in Kumasi is facing a Medico-legal battle for alleged medical negligence that led to the death of a 10-day-old baby.
The baby boy was sent to the hospital by the parents for male circumcision but died during the process under unexplained circumstances, leaving the parents to suspect medical negligence.
The incident, which occurred on April 3, 2023 has left the parents, Mohammed Jamal, 36, a private security officer and Halimatu Adams, 27, a fashion designer, in a prolonged state of trauma.
The Advocacy for Medical Malpractice Victims, a patient-centred non-governmental group, which is leading a campaign to secure justice to the parents, has initiated legal proceedings against the hospital.
According to the advocacy group, it can establish a prima facie case against the KNUST Hospital.
“From all indications, the hospital was negligent in the conduct of the circumcision,” Kwame Brobbey Appiah the Executive Secretary, says.
“We believe strongly that we would be happy to establish a prima facie case,” he added.
According to the management of the hospital, the matter has been referred to the legal department, which is hoping for settlement.
It adds to the rising rate of medico-legal cases against both public and private hospitals across the country.
The Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang Manu recently expressed concerned over the increasing number of medico-legal cases, and charged the managers of the various health facilities to halt the trend by ensuring that health workers strictly adhere to professional standards.
