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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has initiated an inquiry into allegations that Winneba Trauma Specialist Hospital abandoned an accident victim in the bushes near Gomoa Ojobi in the Central Region.

The GHS in a statement said, "Upon receiving this disturbing news has initiated investigations into the matter to establish the authenticity or otherwise of the story in line with the existing practices in the public service to enable it take appropriate action(s)".

The GHS has assured that anyone found responsible for any misconduct will face the consequences as outlined by the Service Code of Conduct.

Read the full statement below

RE: PATIENT ALLEGEDLY ABANDONED IN A BUSH AT GOMOA OJOBI

The attention of leadership of the Ghana Health Service has been drawn to a media story about a patient allegedly abandoned in a bush at Gomoa Ojobi in the Central Region. According to the story, it is alleged that the said patient was on admission at the Trauma and Specialist Hospital in Winneba and after her relatives had failed to show up, she was conveyed in the hospital's ambulance and left in a wheelchair at Ojobi where she claimed to be her hometown and was later found dead.

The Service upon receiving this disturbing news has initiated investigations into the matter to establish the authenticity or otherwise of the story in line with the existing practices in the public service to enable it take appropriate action(s).

The Service wishes to appeal to the general public to be patient as anyone found to be connected with this unfortunate incident will be severely dealt in accordance with provisions of the Service's Code of Conduct.

Thank you.

Background

According to a report filed by UTV's Jacob Kubi, the woman who was receiving treatment at the hospital was alive when she was neglected at Gomoa Ojobi in the Central Region but died a few days after.

An eyewitness reported seeing the ambulance in the bushes and assumed they were taking the victim to the hospital, only to return later to find the woman lying helpless.

Further checks made by Jacob Kubi indicate that management of the hospital decided to discharge her because no family member was coming for her.

Speaking in an interview with Jacob Kubi, Dr George Prah confirmed that the woman was an accident victim who was receiving treatment at the hospital.

However, they decided to take her to Gomoa Ojobi because that is where the woman claimed she was from and moreover, she was behaving like a mentally challenged person.