A man has accused the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, popularly known as Ridge Hospital, of medical negligence following the death of his wife and their baby during childbirth.
The case has also drawn attention to concerns from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) over the growing number of lawsuits brought against health facilities, particularly cases involving alleged negligence and poor patient care.
According to the case, the man’s wife had been receiving antenatal care at Ridge Hospital before complications developed during her pregnancy.
A medical assessment reportedly showed that the baby was suffering from severe intrauterine growth restriction, a condition in which a baby does not grow as expected in the womb, alongside an abnormal blood flow in the umbilical artery.
Doctors subsequently decided to perform an emergency Caesarean section.
The procedure was carried out, but the baby did not survive.
The woman later developed thromboembolism, a serious condition in which a blood clot blocks a blood vessel, and subsequently died.
Her husband alleged that the hospital failed to provide appropriate post-operative care and did not administer medication intended to prevent the formation of blood clots after the surgery.
He claimed that an anticoagulant had been procured for his wife but was not administered.
The allegations formed the basis of a legal action against the hospital and other relevant state institutions.
The hospital, however, disputed aspects of the allegations and maintained that its medical team took appropriate steps in managing the woman’s condition.
The matter eventually went before the Accra High Court, which in July 2024 awarded GH¢3 million in damages after finding the hospital liable for negligence.
Ridge Hospital subsequently appealed the judgment.
The case comes amid broader concerns within the health sector about the increasing resort to litigation against healthcare facilities.
The Ghana Health Service has expressed concern over lawsuits against health facilities, stressing the need for healthcare workers to adhere to professional standards, follow established clinical procedures and properly document the care provided to patients.
While the GHS has raised concerns about the impact of litigation on healthcare delivery, patients and their families maintain the right to seek legal redress where they believe negligence has resulted in injury or death.
The Ridge Hospital case has therefore renewed discussions about patient safety, accountability and standards of care in Ghana’s health facilities, particularly in the management of high-risk pregnancies and post-operative complications.
It also highlights the need for stronger communication between healthcare providers and patients, as well as effective systems for resolving complaints before they escalate into lengthy legal battles.
