The Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HEFRA) has ordered an investigation into the death of a 27-year-old nursing mother, Elizabeth Poku, at the Nsawkaw Government Hospital.
The development follows allegations that the deceased died after suffering an asthma attack because oxygen was not immediately available at the facility.
HEFRA’s Public Relations Officer, Christabel Nuhuhu, said no health facility in the country is expected to operate without oxygen, especially for managing critical and emergency cases.
The deceased’s husband, Isaac Poku, told Adom News that his wife was rushed by taxi from Wenchi to the Nsawkaw Government Hospital while experiencing an asthma attack.
According to him, Elizabeth was still breathing when they arrived at the hospital, but she later died allegedly because oxygen was not administered promptly.
Mr. Poku rejected claims that his wife had died before reaching the facility, insisting that she could have survived if she had received oxygen immediately.
However, the Medical Superintendent of the Nsawkaw Government Hospital, Dr. Taa-Amoako, has disputed the family’s account.
He confirmed that the hospital’s oxygen plant was not functioning but maintained that the facility had oxygen available to manage emergency cases.
Dr. Taa-Amoako explained that the available oxygen was intended to stabilise critical patients before they were referred to the appropriate facility in Sunyani.
Meanwhile, Madam Nuhuhu has assured that HEFRA will conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Elizabeth Poku’s death.
She said the investigation would also help ensure that health facilities across the country have oxygen and other basic requirements needed to manage critical and emergency cases.
