Through his charitable initiative, the Mohammed Ismail Sharrif Foundation, the award-winning artiste donated large quantities of essential items to the mothers and fully settled their outstanding medical bills, totaling GH¢50,696.

The intervention brought relief to several women who had completed treatment but were unable to leave the hospital due to unpaid bills.

Hospital officials expressed gratitude for the support, noting that financial constraints often delay discharges and place additional emotional and economic strain on families.

Black Sherif’s gesture highlights a growing trend among Ghanaian creatives using their platforms and resources to support social causes.

For the artiste, whose music often explores themes of struggle and resilience, the initiative demonstrates a deliberate effort to turn influence into meaningful impact.

The donation also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3.1, which seeks to reduce maternal mortality and ensure access to safe, quality maternal healthcare.

The Mohammed Ismail Sharrif Foundation plans to roll out further initiatives focused on health and social support in the coming months.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem following the tragic incident at the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise, the Minister stressed that some victims who leave the hospital prematurely may still be at risk.

She revealed that two female applicants were treated and discharged because they believed their conditions were minor, only to return later with severe chest pains, highlighting the importance of thorough follow-ups.

“I will urge all parents to go back to the 37 Military Hospital instead of going to other facilities. We must ensure their full recovery,” she said.

Madam Lartey noted that the hospital remains the primary facility equipped to assess, monitor, and manage the victims’ conditions. She emphasised that the medical team will provide referrals only when necessary.

“So any pain or challenge they are experiencing, they should go back to 37. If there is any referral, it will be given when necessary,” she added.

The Minister also assured parents that President Mahama remains committed to supporting the affected families and urged the public to focus on proper medical care rather than emotional reactions.

“I have monitored the work being done, and the health workers are doing well. So instead of attaching an emotional phase, we must stick to the treatment,” she said.

Her call comes as national attention remains on the tragic deaths and injuries recorded during the recruitment stampede, with health and security authorities working to prevent further casualties.

ALSO READ:

• Akufo-Addo mourns victims of El-Wak stampede

• El-Wak stampede: Military officers overseeing recruitment ordered to step aside amidst probe

The bodies of six people who lost their lives in the incident have been deposited at the hospital morgue.

The President was accompanied by Acting Minister for Defence Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Deputy Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi, Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu, and other government officials.

The unfortunate stampede occurred on the morning of Wednesday, November 12, 2025, before the scheduled screening began. Preliminary investigations indicate that the surge of applicants breached security barriers and rushed through the gates around 6:20 a.m., triggering the chaos.

The injured are currently receiving emergency medical treatment at the 37 Military Hospital.

GAF has extended its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

ALSO READ:

• Six reported dead in stampede during Ghana Armed Forces recruitment at El-Wak Stadium

• GAF breaks silence on recruitment stampede

The closure is to allow a comprehensive fumigation exercise aimed at safeguarding public health and maintaining environmental hygiene.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Director General of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces Lieutenant R.K. Kotoku.

The statement explained that the fumigation is part of a proactive effort to ensure a sterile and safe environment for both patients and healthcare personnel.

The public have therefore been advised to make use of other emergency medical facilities in Accra during the 10-day period.

Hospitals such as Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), Police Hospital, and Lekma Hospital are expected to accommodate emergency cases redirected from the 37 Military Hospital.

Meanwhile, the hospital has assured that special arrangements have been made to ensure that entitled personnel continue to receive emergency medical care during the shutdown.

“These patients will be attended to at the Trauma Surgical Emergency Unit (TSEU), which will remain fully operational throughout the fumigation period,” the statement added.

The hospital stressed that this strategic measure is essential to maintain high standards of hygiene and infection control, while ensuring minimal disruption to critical care services for specific patient groups.

Management of the 37 Military Hospital expressed sincere regret for any inconvenience caused and thanked the public for their cooperation and understanding during this important exercise.

ALSO READ:

• Oxygen plant at 37 Military Hospital fixed

• Government committed to addressing urgent challenges at 37 Military Hospital – Omane Boamah

The founder, Prosper Kwame Appiah led the presentation on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Speaking at a short ceremony, Naval captain Harriet Manu, in charge of Public Health at 37 Hospital expressed gratitude to Mr. Appiah for the kind gesture.

She acknowledged that the unit will help address more cases on Tuberculosis reported at the facility.

Naval Captain Manu revealed that the hospital recorded 144 cases of tuberculosis and dealt with 80 percent of them.

The building consist of a screening, Diagnostic and treatment care unit.

For his part, Mr. Appiah in an interview with Adom News said he was touched by call from Naval Captain Manu to put up structure to improve health of Ghanaians.

According to the minister, the repair followed a visit to the hospital, where he was informed that the plant was in a critical state.

The situation posed a threat to oxygen production and supply to surgical theatres, intensive care units, and wards, which could have been severely impacted if not addressed urgently.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Dr. Boamah assured that the issue had been resolved following a directive from President John Dramani Mahama.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to improving human security, stating, “President John Dramani Mahama is serious about his commitment to reset Ghana, and human security will remain essential to the operations of his National Security outfit.”

Highlighting the hospital’s broader role, he noted, “The 37 Military Hospital also supplies oxygen to the National Ambulance Service.”

“I’m excited to announce that, on the president’s instructions, the Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the National Security Coordinator, has resolved the issue.”

“New equipment has been purchased and installed, ensuring continuous oxygen production and supply for the 37 Military Hospital and the National Ambulance Service,” he stated.

Dr. Boamah commended the government’s swift intervention, which helped avert a potential crisis.

He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to addressing challenges, adding, “Thanks to our proactiveness, there will be no bad news. We’re committed to solving problems, including fixing the mismanaged economy.”

ALSO READ:

• Government committed to addressing urgent challenges at 37 Military Hospital – Omane Boamah

• 37 Military Hospital receives dialysis machines [Photos]

He made this statement in a Facebook post on Friday, February 14, following a working visit to the facility.

Dr Boamah, accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Staff and senior officers from the Ministry of Defence, described the visit as a homecoming, given his professional medical background.

He expressed appreciation for the warm reception from his former colleagues, both senior and junior, as well as civilian employees and patients at the hospital.

The Defence Minister explained that the visit formed part of his broader objective to fully understand the challenges confronting the Ghana Armed Forces and develop tailored, cost-effective solutions.

He acknowledged the numerous difficulties facing the hospital but maintained that they were not insurmountable.

Following his visit, he affirmed the commitment of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration to urgently address the most pressing issues affecting the hospital’s ability to provide quality healthcare.

“This working visit forms part of my deliberate intention to actively immerse myself into the challenges of the Ghana Armed Forces in order to prescribe tailored and cost-effective solutions.

“The challenges are numerous but not insurmountable.

“Subsequent to my visit, the President John Dramani Mahama government is making frantic efforts to fix some urgent and critical challenges that are vital for the delivery of quality care at the hospital.”

He reiterated the government’s resolve to overcome all challenges as part of efforts to revitalise the country’s institutions, stating, “As we reset Ghana, no problem will be too steep to overcome.”

ALSO READ:

World Bank attributes Ghana’s 2022 crisis to lack of fiscal discipline

Manasseh Azure Awuni: Appiah Stadium, Mahama’s gadfly and discontinued prosecutions

His proposals, presented during his appearance before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on January 28, aim to address the long-standing issues of overcrowding and resource constraints at the facility.

Dr. Omane Boamah highlighted the need for a specialised healthcare facility exclusively for soldiers and their dependants, noting that the 37 Military Hospital often faces pressure due to competition from civilians seeking medical services.

He emphasised that providing a dedicated space for military healthcare would ensure uninterrupted access to quality services for personnel and their families.

As part of his vision, the Defence Minister-designate proposed re-equipping the 37 Military Hospital with modern tools and technology.

He also recommended adopting innovative procurement mechanisms to reduce the cost of medical supplies and guarantee a steady flow of essential drugs and consumables.

This, he said, would ensure that soldiers and their families receive timely and effective care without financial inefficiencies.

Dr. Omane Boamah further underscored the importance of decentralising military healthcare by operationalising the Afari Military Hospital and establishing a new facility in Accra.

These initiatives, he explained, would alleviate the strain on the 37 Military Hospital while improving access to healthcare for military personnel across different regions.

“Plans are underway to construct a new facility in Accra specifically for soldiers and their families, as civilians are currently overcompeting with them at the 37 Military Hospital,” he stated.

“When this facility is completed, combined with the operationalisation of Afari Military Hospital, it will significantly reduce the pressure on the 37 Military Hospital. Additionally, with innovative mechanisms for procuring drugs, we can reduce costs and ensure consistent supply, addressing the critical needs of our military community.

ALSO READ:

I’ll ensure befitting accommodation for soldiers – Omane Boamah

Dr. Kofi David Wuaku promises to transform Volta Region through visionary leadership

This donation aims to settle the cost of medication for sickle cell patients in need of financial assistance.

The donation is in line with AT’s Touching Lives initiative which promotes the health and well-being of the community.

Chief Marketing Officer of AT, Atul Narain Singh, presenting the money said “We are delighted to make this presentation to the Unit, and we believe it will provide crucial support to patients and enhance the clinic’s capacities as well.”

“We hope this brings more joy and happiness to the patients who are going to benefit from this, especially those who need it the most”, he added.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the 37 Military Hospital, the Acting Head of the Pediatric Unit, Dr. Shirley Asamoah-Okyere expressed her profound gratitude to AT.

“Your support plays a crucial role in helping us continue to provide exceptional care to our patients and their families. We are particularly grateful for your donation during these challenging times,” she lauded.

She further assured AT that the donation would be put to immediate and meaningful use, helping the clinic continue its mission of providing high quality healthcare to their patients.

In addition to the donation, an in-house genotype screening exercise was held in collaboration with the Deseret Hospital.

This initiative aimed to identify sickle cell traits and cases among staff, promoting early detection and informed health decisions.

The event, held at the AT head office in Accra, saw a remarkable turnout of employees.

Also, a virtual health-talk was held for AT Staff, where a medical professional specializing in Sickle Cell provided necessary information on the disease, its management, and support strategies.

Employees had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about how to support those living with sickle cell disease.

Over the years, AT Touching Lives has demonstrated its commitment to spreading public awareness about the condition, preventing stigmatization, and supporting the Sickle Cell Community through various collaborations and initiatives.

These include creating educational content, donating essential medical equipment, and organizing blood donation exercises.

This year’s activities further emphasize AT’s dedication to making a positive impact in the sickle cell community in Ghana.

The Pharmacy said after careful consideration, it decided to announce its commitment to enhancing patient care through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

“At ECPL, we believe in making a positive impact on the communities we serve. This aligns with our mission to improve patient care and access to essential medications and advanced treatments to ensure the attainment of universal health coverage,” a statement from the company reads.

In a generous move, ECPL has donated two units of dialysis machines valued at $31,000.

Additionally, the company is providing consumables worth $5,000 to assist in the treatment of patients suffering from kidney failure.

As part of its CSR efforts, ECPL is also keen on understanding the impact of their donation on the hospital’s ability to treat patients more effectively.

This donation is expected to significantly bolster the hospital’s capacity to provide critical care for patients with kidney failure, reflecting ECPL’s ongoing dedication to supporting healthcare initiatives and improving patient outcomes in the communities it serves.

ALSO READ:

• KATH takes delivery of 3 dialysis machines

• Dialysis crisis: We need stakeholder engagement, not firefighting approach – CDD-Ghana fellow tells govt

Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh revealed this on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Thursday.

Mr. Annoh-Dompreh explained that, Dr. Kumah’s health deteriorated while he was visiting his constituency in the Ashanti Region.

An ambulance was arranged to transport him to Accra, but his condition worsened en route.

The ambulance diverted to the Suhum Government Hospital, where Kumah was pronounced dead.

He said Dr. Kumah was scheduled to address Parliament on the day of his passing, adding to the shock and sadness of his colleagues.

Mr. Annoh-Dompreh recounted his last interactions with the late MP, expressing regret that they were unable to reach him by phone before the tragic news.

Dr. John Kumah, aged 45, succumbed to a brief illness on Thursday.

His sudden passing has left his family, constituents, colleagues and friends mourning.

ALSO READ:

Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah passes on

John Kumah’s death shocking – Ato Forson

Parliament suspends sitting following death of John Kumah

According to the hospital authorities, the continuous storage of these unclaimed bodies is causing congestion and affecting the day-to-day operations of the facility.

In a press statement, the 37 Military Hospital said the exercise will take place on Friday, September 1, 2023.

“The relatives of the unclaimed bodies are requested to visit the Department of Anatomical Pathology of the 37 Military Hospital from Thursday 3 August to Thursday 31 August 2023 to claim the bodies,” the statement added.

Pending the mass burial exercise, the general public is also being urged to assist in identifying some of the bodies.

The Hospital again noted that the last time the facility conducted a mass burial was on March 11, 2017.

ALSO READ:

• 37 Military Hospital performs historic surgery for woman with blocked heart

• Court orders 37 Military Hospital to release report on death of 48-year-old man to…

Colonel Dr Kwame Acheampong Adomako, the Head of Cardio Centre 37 Military Hospital, addressing the media after the surgery, said the patient’s blocked heart was due to a family history of hypertension and diabetes

He said because the patient was hypertensive and diabetic, the nerves that needed to carry messages to other parts of the body were unable to do so.

The Cardiologist explained that the electronic pulse generator implanted in the heart would help the patient live her normal life without any sudden cardiac arrest or death.

This means that the heartbeat has increased from 39-40 beats to 80-90 beats per minute.

Col Adomako said the successful surgery had given the Hospital the confidence to do more and urged Ghanaians to go for regular check-ups to help pick up some of those conditions early for t mely treatment.

The patient expressed appreciation to the 37 Military Hospital for the prompt attention given to her, adding that before her referral to the facility on Friday, June 23, 2023, she had been given up to Sunday, June 25 to live.

She narrated how she had an attack at a function and was advised to go for a checkup immediately.

“After my checkup at the SSNIT Hospital, I was asked to wait for a while because my condition was critical. My heart was beating slowly at about 39 to 40 instead of the normal of 70 to 80 per minute.

“I was later rushed with an ambulance to the 37 Military Hospital where I was told about the surgery right away, which was performed because it cannot wait,” she added.

The patient said she was currently well and doing everything without the help of anyone, adding that “initially, I could not walk even a small distance.

“After the surgery, I can confirm today that my condition has changed. There is nothing like dizziness and pain anymore as it used to be,” she narrated.

She urged Ghanaians to have faith in the local health facilities.

Her husband added he was happy with the success of the surgery because his wife has suffered a lot.

Heart block is a condition where the electrical impulses that control the beating of the heart muscle are disrupted.

The most serious type of heart block is known as complete or third-degree.

Heart block has symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations (irregular heartbeat), dizzy spells/fainting, and nausea.

Dual-Chamber Pacemaker is a type of surgery, which helps to correct the condition by carrying electrical impulses to the right ventricle and the right atrium of the heart to help control the timing of contractions between the two chambers.

The surgery does not allow the heart to dip below a programmed heart rate and ensures that the atrium – the top chamber of the heart and the ventricle -the lower chamber of the heart – beat in sync with one another.
ALSO READ:

• Public confidence in 37 Military Hospital dwindling – GAF High Command

• Family sues 37 Military Hospital over death of 48-year-old man

It has, thus, set up a 12-member quality management committee to exercise oversight control on the facility’s quality of service delivery.

Inaugurating the committee, Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, said: “In recent years, we have witnessed a number of complaints from the public about the quality of service, some leading to avoidable loss of lives and its resultant loss of public confidence in the Ghana Armed Forces services and its facilities.

“To forestall this trend and revive public confidence in the Ghana Armed Forces’ medical services, the military high command saw it imperative to set up a committee to promote quality assurance for the improvement of quality of care at the Ghana Armed Forces medical facility,” he noted.

The General Jurisdiction 6 Division of the High Court presided over by Justice Kwaku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, two years ago, awarded GHS1,075,000 in damages against the hospital for negligently causing the death of a 27-year-old woman during childbirth almost eight years ago.

Ruling on the November 2015 incident, the court awarded the father and husband GHS400,000 each for loss of expectations of life; GHS50,000 each for mental distress, GHS100,000 to the baby, Yaw Nyamekye, for pain and suffering and another GHS50,000 for the resultant disfigurement suffered by the baby.

Also, the court awarded GHS50,000 to the child’s primary caregivers and an additional GHS25,000 in damages.

Helena Brema Nyamekye, a PhD student at the University of Ghana at the time of the incident, requested CS for the birth of her child but the doctors insisted she had a vaginal birth.

She bled to death during the delivery.

The victim’s husband and father jointly sued the hospital.

During the hearing, the doctors argued that the CS request came too late after Mrs Nyamakye had agreed to vaginal delivery.

It was, however, revealed in court that the CS request was made on the morning of November 11, 2015.

In the opinion of the judge, the hospital had no “plausible or reasonable explanation” for denying the CS request, adding that the young woman’s death was “preventable”.

“The only logical conclusion the court ought to come to is that the deceased died out of injuries caused her”, Justice Ackaah-Boafo said.

The hospital, he noted, was responsible for the negligence of its staff.

Also, the family of 48-year-old Solomon Asare Kumah who died at the hospital in October 2019, sued the facility, a doctor, the Chief of Defence Staff and the government for negligence. 

The family wants to be paid GHS2 million in damages for medical negligence that led to the death of the deceased.

According to the family of the deceased, their relative died due to negligence and a breach of contract on the part of the doctor, Col Dr Gao Appiah, and the hospital.

“The hospital and its employees failed to exercise due care when they wrongly inserted Solomon’s breathing tube under his skin thereby denying oxygen for a considerable amount of time and as such causing strain on his heart and other organs and, thus, causing his death,” the family argued in a writ filed in 2021.

In the negligence complaint, the family argued that the hospital (3rd defendant) and its employees failed to provide the appropriate standard of care when they failed to notice within reasonable time that Solomon’s tube had been wrongly inserted until he (Solomon) became extremely bloated.

“The 3rd defendant and its employees responsible for Solomon’s care, particularly the 4th defendant (Doctor), failed to exercise due care when they failed to ensure on 16th September, 2019, that the drill required for Solomon’s surgery was in good working condition before cutting open Solomon’s skull, thereby exposing his body and organs to considerable strain and clotting in the vein, a condition which required an expensive procedure costing Solomon and his family the Ghana cedi equivalent of five thousand five hundred United States Dollars ((US$5,500.00) plus other expenses to treat.”

The Writ continued: “The 3rd defendant and its employees failed in their duty of care to Solomon when they failed to notice that Solomon had developed symptoms of clotting in the vein; and

“The 3rd defendant failed in its duty as a referral hospital to ensure that it had the requisite tools and equipment to treat Solomon’s condition before admitting him.” 

The family is, therefore, seeking damages of GHS2,008,259.57 for negligently causing the death of Solomon Asare-Kumah; compensation to the widow and family members; general damages for breach of contract; GHS20,000 for funeral and other expenses; GHS36,200 paid by Solomon and his family; GHS10,000 for his 60-day admission; USD5,500 for IVC filter procedure and GHS40,000 as legal fees.

ALSO READ:

• My 37 Military Hospital experience: ‘Specialist is on leave – wait or get a…

• Family sues 37 Military Hospital over death of 48-year-old man

The plaintiff is also demanding GHc2 million damages for medical negligence leading to the deceased’s death.

The family contends that the death of Solomon Asare Kumah at the hospital in October 2019 was due to breach of contract and negligence by the hospital and the doctor, Col. Dr Gao Appiah who took care of him.

Per the writ filed in 2021, the family argues that “the hospital and its employees failed to exercise due care when they wrongly inserted Solomon’s breathing tube under his skin thereby denying him oxygen for a considerable amount of time and as such causing stain on his heart and other organs and thus causing his death.”

The particulars of the negligence complaint were that the 3rd defendant (Hospital) and its employees responsible for Solomon’s care, particularly the 4th defendant, (doctor) failed to exercise due care when they wrongly inserted Solomon’s breathing tube under his skin thereby denying him oxygen for a considerable amount of time and as such causing a strain on his heart and other organs and causing his death;

“The 3rd defendant and its employees failed to provide the appropriate standard of care when they failed to notice within reasonable time that Solomon’s tube had been wrongly inserted until he (Solomon) became extremely bloated;

“The 3rd defendant and its employees responsible for Solomon’s care, particularly the 4th defendant, failed to exercise due care when they failed to ensure on 16th
September 2019, the drill required for Solomon’s surgery was in good working condition before cutting open Solomon’s skull, thereby exposing his body and organs to considerable strain and clotting in the vein, a condition which required an expensive procedure costing Solomon and his family the Ghana Cedi equivalent of five thousand five hundred United States Dollars
((US$5,500.00) plus other expenses to treat;

“The 3rd defendant and its employees failed in their duty of care to Solomon when they failed to notice that Solomon had developed symptoms of clotting in the vein.

“The 3rd defendant failed in its duty as a referral hospital to ensure that it had the requisite tools and equipment to treat Solomon’s condition before admitting him,” the writ stated.

Reliefs being sought

The family per the writ issued in 2021 is seeking the following reliefs…

a. A Damages of two million eight thousand two hundred and fifty-nine Ghana Cedis and fifty-seven pesewas (GHC2,008,259.57) for negligently causing the death of Solomon Asare-Kumah;

b. Compensation to the widow and family members for mental distress, which eventually led to the death of Solomon’s father;

C. General damages for breach of the contract between Solomon and the dr3 defendant;

ALSO READ:

Missing twin: Couple takes 37 Military Hospital to task

Court orders 37 Military Hospital to pay over ¢1m for medical negligence

d. An order for the recovery of special damages for breach of contract and for negligence resulting in the following losses;
the sum of GHS20,000.00 being funeral and other expenses incurred; the sum of GHS36,200.00 being the sums of money collected from Solomon and or his family by 4th defendant through deceit, and unconscionable contract; the sum of GHC10,000.00 being the expenses incurred by family during Solomon’s 60-day stay at the 3rd defendant’s facility; and sum of the Ghana Cedi equivalent of US$5,500.00 being expenses incurred for the IVC filter procedure at the National Cardio Centre, Korle-Bu;

e. Any other reliefs the Honourable Court deems fit;

f. Costs including solicitor’s fees of forty thousand Ghana Cedis (GH&40,000.00).

EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, reports that the High Court in Accra is expected to rule on an application from the family seeking the Chief of Defence Staff and the Hospital to release the report of its investigation on the matter pending the determination of the substantive matter.

Parties

The Plaintiff is the customary successor, and the administrator of the estate of Solomon Asare-Kumah (deceased) and brings this action in the capacities indorsed on the writ.

The Attorney General – 1st Defendant is the principal legal adviser to the government of Ghana, and the constitutionally designated defendant for all suits against the State.

The Chief of Defence Staff – 2nd defendant is the head of the Ghana Armed Forces, and has oversight responsibility for the operations of the 3rd defendant herein.

37 Military Hospital- 3rd defendant is a state-owned referral hospital located in Accra, and was at all times material to the facts giving rise to the instant action, the employer of the 4th defendant.

Col. Dr Gao Appiah (doctor)- The 4th defendant is an employee of the 3rd defendant and the consultant surgeon in charge of the care of Solomon Asare-Kumah during his stay at the facility of the 3dr defendant.

According to the hospital, the error was detected after fur­ther inquisition into the missing twin saga.

This disclosure comes five days after the Ghanaian Times’ investigative story published on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.

The hospital has, therefore, apologised to the couple and said the issue would serve as a wake-up call to the hospital, promising to release the result of an investigative report to the family this Friday.

These were the outcome of a meeting held on Monday with senior military officers, including the Chief of Staff (COS) at the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Major General Nicho­las Peter Andoh, and the family of Daniel Naawu – husband of the woman who was expecting twins, for a briefing at the Bur­ma Camp in Accra.

Other top military officers present at the little-over-an-hour meeting which was at the behest of Maj Gen Andoh, were Brig. Gen. Raymond Kwabena Ewusi, the Director of General, Ghana Armed Forces Medical Services, Naval Commander Dr Paul Yeg­be, an Urologist and surgeon at the 37 Military Hospital and Ma­jor Alfred Topper – a member of the team set up to investigate the issue.

Dr Ali Saine, a senior obstetrician and gynaecologist at the 37 Military Hospital, who performed the Caesarean Section (CS) on that fateful day (September 8, 2022), was also present to respond to questions at the meeting.

The four-member family of Naawu, led by the legendary Ghana goalkeeper, John Naawu, took turns to bombard Dr Saine with questions on the supposed missing twin and the ultrasound scan taken at the hospital after 31 weeks.

According to Dr Saine, the hospital expected twins as the scan had shown but was sur­prised to see only one baby.

He blamed the situation on a flawed diagnosis first conducted at the Cerica Diagnostic Services in Accra that suggested the woman, Ms Audrey Agyapong, was carrying double foetuses.

Responding to a question, Dr Saine conceded that the sec­ond scan done at the 37 Military Hospital, was also error-ridden, insisting that only one baby was delivered.

On his part, Maj Gen Andoh said the hospital had no inten­tions of doing anything malicious knowing their credibility and rep­utation was always on the line.

“We will not shield anybody who tries to bring the military’s name into disrepute.

“But we’re a human institu­tion; such errors are bound to occur, and would be guided by this going into the future,” he was quoted as saying.

When contacted yesterday, Technical Director and Radiol­ogist of the Cerica Diagnostic Centre, Dr Eric Otu-Danquah, was alarmed at the contention of the 37 Military Hospital, saying his outfit did due diligence in arriving at its result.

“We are not saying we are infallible but in the best of our knowledge, we were diligent in our delivery.

“It’s unfortunate they came to that conclusion. I have my contact numbers on the scan report in the possession of Ms Agyapong; so they could have called to cross­check if they had any doubts,” Dr Otu-Danquah told the Ghanaian Times.

The 37 Military Hospital, it was disclosed to the Ghanaian Times, would hand over the final report of the investigations into the case that commenced in Oc­tober 2022, to the Naawu family this Friday.

In a painstaking investigative story carried by the Ghanaian Times on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, the couple narrated how they went to the 37 Military Hospital expecting twins only to be handed one baby after delivery and thus suspected foul play.

Ultra-sound checks done 31 weeks into the gestation period at two medical facilities, including the 37 Military Hospital, showed that one Ms Audrey Agyapong was carrying two live foetuses (twins).

The first scan report, which was signed by Dr Otu Danquah, was conducted on April 22, 2022, at the Cerica Diagnostic Services when the pregnancy was 20 weeks old.

Its results showed live intrauterine (inside the uterus) foetuses.

A second ultrasonic scan done at the 37 Military Hospital on July 21, 2022 and signed by Drs M.T Mpetey and R. Asiedu, a Resident and Senior Physician respectively, confirmed results of the earlier scan with twin A weighing 269g and B weighing 261g.

“In all, we did four different scans, all showing I was carrying live twins and it is baffling that one could disappear at birth,” Ms Agyapong told the Ghanaian Times.

Explaining further, she said on September 7, 2022, when her gestation period was 38 weeks, she was admitted at the 37 Mil­itary Hospital where her vitals were taken with two foetal heart beats confirmed as normal.

In a follow-up story by Gha­naian Times on Friday, January 20, 2023, the couple was informed that the placenta tissue of Ms Agyapong, had been sent to Italy for further examinations.

The exercise, according to the Military Hospital, was to deter­mine whether the 38-year-old woman was delivered of twins, which has generated a vortex of interest among Ghanaians.

They are accusing the staff of the hospital of allegedly being re­sponsible for the ‘disappearance’ of one of the freshly-born babies supposed to be the other twin, delivered at the hospital.

The delivery was done through Caesarean section on Thursday, September 8, 2022.

A visibly distraught mother of the supposed twin, 38-year-old trader – Audrey Agyapong, and her 54-year-old husband, Daniel Naawu, are suspecting foul play.

Narrating their ordeal to the Ghanaian Times in Accra, the couple recalled that an ultrasonic checks done 31 weeks into the gestation period at two med­ical facilities, including the 37 Military Hospital, showed that Ms Agyapong was carrying two live foetuses (twins).

The Ghanaian Times’ painstak­ing investigations suggested that the first scan report, which was signed off by Dr Otu Danquah, was conducted on April 22, 2022, at the Cerica Diagnostic Services at Lartebiokoshie in Accra, when the pregnancy was 20 weeks.

Its results showed live intrauterine (inside the uterus) foetuses.

Furthermore, a second ultra­sonic scan done at the 37 Military Hospital on July 21, 2022, and signed by Drs M.T Mpetey and R. Asiedu, a Resident and Senior Physician respectively, confirmed results of the earlier scan with twin A weighing 269g and B weighing 261g.

“In all, we did four different scans, all showing I was carrying live twins and it is baffling that one could disappear at birth,” Ms Agyapong told the Ghanaian Times.

Explaining further, she said on September 7, 2022, when her ges­tation period was 38 weeks, she was admitted at the 37 Military Hospital where her vitals were taken with two foetal heart beats confirmed as normal.

“On the 8th of September 2022, the morning of the oper­ation, my babies were checked again and I was told they were both well. Double logistics were therefore taken for them. At the theatre, I was prepared for the operation and anaesthesia was given which completely numbed the lower part of my body.

“A screen was placed in the middle which prevented me from directly viewing what was happening. However, I felt the two babies being taken from my womb. Later, I heard a cry and one female baby was shown to me by a doctor named Dr Ali Saine, who told me ‘It is only one baby’.”

ALSO READ:

Court orders 37 Military Hospital to pay over ¢1m for medical negligence

Maternity Unit of 37 Military Hospital closed for fumigation

Dr Saine is a senior Obstetri­cian and Gynaecologist at the 37 Military Hospital, who performed the Caesarean section.

“I was startled and whilst try­ing to process the import of what I was just told, I heard the doctor tell his team members to take out their phones and video it. I was taken to the recovery ward where the doctor told me he would come and talk to me,” recalled Ms Agyapong, who said she had been having sleepless nights since the incident.

According to the disturbed mother, to make matters worse, she was later told that what she thought was a second baby, was rather a placenta.

“I was shocked because this was not the first time I was giving birth and I know how one feels when the placenta comes out.”

For his part, Mr Naawu, a senior driver at J.A Plant Pool Ghana Limited in Accra said his baby’s alleged disappearance was “unacceptable” as he was asked to pay for double items before the operation.

“I have twins from my previ­ous marriage and was glad I was going to have another set only to be told this shocking story,” the evidently upset father fumed.

He continued: “As I speak now, I have not been able to outdoor the child, nor give her a name because I do not know whether the missing baby is also female or male.”

Meanwhile, on October 10, 2022, Mr Naawu petitioned the Commander-in-Charge of the 37 Military Hospital to cause an investigation into the matter and bring back his missing child.

Several attempts made by the Ghanaian Times to speak to Dr Ali Saine on the issue, proved futile, as he insisted on contacting the Commander-in-Charge of the 37 Military Hospital, for permission.

“We have a laid-down pro­cedure here. I can’t speak to the media unless you seek permission from the appropriate quarters at the hospital,” he insisted.

After a couple of attempts to speak to him fell through, the Ghanaian Times on October 14, 2022, officially wrote to the Commander-in-Charge of the 37 Military Hospital, requesting an interview with Dr Saine.

Several follow-ups have been made ever since, but to no avail; as it was always met with the re­frain at the hospital’s administra­tion that: “we are working on it.”

On Friday, October 28, 2022, the Ghanaian Times wrote another letter addressed to the Public Af­fairs Department of the 37 Mil­itary Hospital, requesting for an interview with Dr Ali Saine, but only received a verbal response assuring that an investigation has been commenced into the case.

However, an eye specialist at the 37 Military Hospital, Wing Commander Isaac Bediako Ford­juor who is part of a team tasked to probe into the matter, told the Ghanaian Times in November last year that investigations had commenced.

“We have interviewed all concerned including nurses who worked at the theatre on that fate­ful day and we shall brief you on our findings when we are done,” he said.

Nearly four months have passed since investigations com­menced into the incident.

According to him, he nearly fainted when he received the news that “his brother” had passed on at the hospital.

Recounting his last moment with the actor on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz show, Bob Smith Jnr, popularly known as ‘Diabolo Man’, admitted that ‘Waakye’ fell ill on Monday morning.

He added that the 65-year-old actor was first rushed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, but there were no beds to admit him, hence he was taken to Ridge Government Hospital, where he also faced a similar issue.

Talking further, Bob Smith Jnr said 37 Military Hospital was the only option and fortunately, he got admitted.

Mr Smith Jnr, however, noted that, he had called some friends in the industry to inform them of ‘Waakye’s’ health condition, pending a visit, hence, he was certain the Obra actor would recover in no time.

On his way to the 37 Military Hospital on Tuesday, Bob Smith said he received a call from Waakye’s fiancée breaking the news of his death.

I nearly fainted… I nearly dropped dead. I knew he was ill. He was rushed on Monday to Korle-Bu and there was no bed and they moved him to Ridge it didn’t work and they went to 37 with the fiancé and incidentally there he had good reception.

He was admitted and we were preparing to go there and see what we could do. We had called couple of friends. When such crisis come we need good amount of money and we did all that. In the afternoon I was on my way and I had a call from the fiancée that this is what had happened. I had to make a U-turn to wear black.

Additionally, Bob Smith Jnr described ‘Waakye’ as a very down-to-earth man of God who loved preaching peace and humility.

Waakye was like a brother from another mother. My own biological siblings are not as close as Waakye. I do everything with him. This thing is not acceptable. Waakye is a gentleman. Everyone who has worked with him knows he loves people.

I am on my way to the mortuary. These things when they happen, naturally you need some of us to be part. As a brother, I take it upon myself as an Abusuapanyin to go through the process. I have spoken to some government big shots. They will meet me and we will be able to do the needful.

Talking about the first time he met Waakye, Bob Smith said it was through veteran actress Grace Omaboe aka Maame Dokono.

I met him through Maame Dokono. He was with then with the Obra group. We were discussing something and he made me laugh. What he said was very funny, and I already knew him on TV.

And We were casting the Prisoner, so he played the role for me and he had been my production manager and major actor and a brother. With the Fante confederation, we have been together and we were like brothers, he recounted.

MORE:

• SIM re-registration: Good news for MTN subscribers

• Just In: Ghanaian actor, Waakye passes on

• Family announces burial date for Kumawood actor ‘Ice Kenkey’

The accident happened while they were responding to a distress call on Tuesday.

They were admitted to the Holy Family Hospital at Techiman but were asked to be airlifted to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra for further treatment.

Three of the four personnel who were critically injured are in sustainable conditions while the other life-threatening condition is out of danger and responding well to treatment.

The fifth person was treated and discharged on Wednesday from the Atebubu Government Hospital.

CFO Kuunuor has assured the victims of management’s commitment to seeing them fully recovered and medically fit.

READ MORE:

• Fire tender involved in accident; 5 personnel in critical condition

• Fire Service reacts to fatal accident involving its officers

He lauded them for their commitment and diligently performing their duty even at the peril of their lives.

He also expressed his profound gratitude to the Fire Council Chairman; Kwame Ayimadu Antwi, the Interior and Defence Ministers and the entire management of the Atebubu Government Hospital.

Also to the Techiman Holy Family Hospital and 37 Military Hospital for their commitment and the immense support for their recovery.

This comes barely a few weeks after he cut the sod for the construction of Cardiothoracic Centre.

The money is to facilitate the training of medical personnel in India to man the ultra-modern Cardiothoracic Centre under construction within the hospital.

A total of eight medical personnel are expected to benefit from his benevolence.

The eight are said to include; Lt Col. Kwame Acheampong Adomako – Surgeon, Dr Gordon Offei-Larbi – Surgeon; SQ LDR; Benjamin Toboh, Cardiologist and Dr Nana Yaa Kyei-Frimpong – also a Cardiologist.

The rest are, CDR. Titus Enninful – Cardiac Anesthetist; Melvin Michael Asamoah – Perfusionist; MAJ. Gloria Addae – Cardiac Pharmacist as well as Lois Yarborfo Larbie – Biomedical Engineer.

ALSO READ:

• Kennedy Agyapong cuts sod for construction of Cardiothoracic Centre at 37

• Five times MP Kennedy Agyapong was generous with his money

Mr Agyapong, during the presentation, revealed that some of his friends have pledged their support to make the venture a success.

On behalf of the Military High Command and the 37 Military Hospital, Lt Col. Kwame Acheampong Adomako, also expressed gratitude for the gesture and promised to come back better resourced and intellectually equipped to serve the country.

The first patient, identified as Unkown Sunday, according to the hospital, was knocked down by a vehicle and cannot talk or walk.

“He was taken to the Trauma Surgical Emergency Unit on Sunday, April 25, 2021, and later referred to the Neurology ward,” the hospital said in a statement.

The second patient, believed to be a Nigerian, identified as Kingsley Ige, was also involved in a car accident.

The statement added he was brought to the Trauma Surgical and Emergency Unit on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, but also currently on admission at the Neurology ward.

ALSO READ:

• Kennedy Agyapong cuts sod for construction of Cardiothoracic Centre at 37

• Pay or Die: The agony of pregnant women in hospitals [Full Report+Video]

Although Mr Ige can speak and walk, he is said to have lost total memory.

“Anyone with information on them should kindly contact the administration officer, Lt. Col Mintah on 0275177709 or the Chief Ward Master of the Neuro Ward, CPOI Beelber on 0269360272,” the statement further appealed.

The facility, which will be a three-storey 80-bed-capacity with state-of-the-art equipment, is said to have been proposed to Mr Agyapong when he donated Personal Protective Equipment to the hospital sometime ago.

It will have three operating theatres, ultra-modern reception, laboratory, pharmacy and x-ray department, Dialysis unit, Robotic centre, VVIP clinic, a training centre, executive clinic, among others.

Speaking during a short ceremony at the 37 Military Hospital on Tuesday, the lawmaker noted he chose the facility because it has always been a desire to support them.

“I have always had the burning desire to contribute significantly to your capacity to deliver coupled with my close association with some of the staff and my admiration for your service delivery to all and sundry for the years.

ALSO READ:

• Bawumia hands over Infectious Disease Centre to 37 hospital

• Kennedy Agyapong announces juicy package for Ghanaian workers [Listen]

“I recognise your dedication to duty when you become the first point of call during disasters,” he said.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, on his part, extended the service’s appreciation to the lawmaker.

To him, the completion of the project will be an honour and previllige for the hospital to host a centre that will be second to the national Cardio-centre but in terms of equipment, it will be first in the country.

“Your kind gesture has fully demonstrated your unflinching love and support to develop healthcare delivery in Ghana. We are grateful you chose our facility for this project and it is our prayer that your exemplary life is emulated by well-meaning Ghanaians,” he lauded.

Meanwhile, Mr Agyapong, who urged the contractor to be professional and timely with the project expected to be completed within a year, presented a cheque for work to start.

Watch the video attached for more:

The research conducted by 10 medical professionals was to provide pathological evidence for better understanding and improved management of the disease in Ghana.

The researchers concluded that damage to the lungs was a key feature of deaths caused by the virus in Ghana.

 The autopsies of 20 persons between 20 years and 79 years, who tested positive for COVID-19 before or after death, were used.

“Under conditions required for carrying out autopsies on bodies infected with category three infectious agents, with few modifications, complete autopsies were performed on 20 patients with ante-mortem and/or postmortem RT -PCR confirmed positive COVID‐19 results, between April and June 2020,” part of the report indicated.

Almost all of them had co-morbid conditions, including 13 patients, who were 55-years or older and 65 percent of the patients had Type II diabetes or hypertension.

ALSO READ:

• Diana Hamilton receives Covid-19 vaccine [Video]

• Africa reaches 100,000 known Covid-19 deaths as danger grows

“Most of these patients presented with respiratory symptoms of varying severity with decreased saturation on intranasal oxygen (INO2) in association with other constitutional symptoms such as fever, headache, malaise, generalised weakness and collapse,” it added.

The report, published on researchgate.net, indicated there was an equal proportion of males and females. 

Meanwhile, the country’s active cases currently stand at 6,658, a death toll of 577, total confirmed cases at 80, 253 and 73,018 recoveries.

Read the full report below:

Covid-19: 37 Military, Ga East hospitals release autopsy reports for research by Dennis Adu on Scribd

“The 37 Military Hospital will close down its Medical and Emergency Unit (MEU) to the general public from Thursday, January 14 to Thursday, February 4, 2021 in order to conduct a fumigation exercise, ” it said.

According to a press release signed by E. Aggrey-Quashie, its Director of Public Relations, “the closure has become necessary to enable the authorities undertake fumigation as a remedy to any infestation of the Unit.”

It further added that “measures have been put in place to ensure patients already on admission are not negatively affected.”

All emergency cases are to be redirected to other health facilities during the period.

“Any inconvenience that the closure would cause is deeply regretted,” it concluded.

Below is the full statement:

Originally conceived in 2014 at the height of the Ebola crisis, the 25-bed facility,
which also houses a Command Centre to coordinate the activities of isolation centres across the country and a Health Surveillance Unit, was began in April 2019 and completed after 10 months at a cost of Ghs 4.8m.

Addressing the gathering of military, health and government officials on
Wednesday, 30th September, 2020, Vice President Bawumia underscored
government’s determination to provide essential logistics and infrastructure to
meet the nation’s health needs.

“As you aware, work on this facility began even before the outbreak of the Covid
19 in Ghana. This government has initiated, in less than four years, 843 projects in
the health sector, with 475 of them completed, while the rest are ongoing.”

“We have also introduced a lot of initiatives in the health sector, such as the use of drones to deliver essential medical supplies. We now have four drone centres operational,
and during this Covid-19 crises, 2,500 samples have been delivered by drones. Our commitment to improving access to health care remains unwavering, and with your support, we will have even more time to do more.”

Speaking earlier, the Minister of Defence, Hon Dominic Nitiwul was confident that the facility would be put to good use, and in the finest traditions of the military, we can be sure that years later, this facility will remain in good shape due to the culture of maintenance.

The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, who represented the
Minister, disclosed that a number of health facilities will be completed this year,
including the Bekwai, Fomena and Kumawu hospitals.

“Never in the history of this country has so much resources been invested in health
care in such a short time. This is indeed a sure sign of the government’s
commitment to ensuring the provision of healthcare for its people,” Dr. Okoe Boye
stated.

The four-year-old boy, known as Nathaniel Adzatorgbor, is now unable to walk, talk and see.

He was sent to the hospital by the mother – Patience Ofori – to be treated for a snoring disorder.

MORE:

• Latest list of universities not recognised by Ghana’s Accreditation Board

• Private schools welcome Mahama’s promise on Free SHS inclusion

However, according to her, doctors in-charge of little Nathaniel told her that a drug given to him prior to the surgery to correct his snoring disorder was responsible for his inability to now walk, talk and see.

Apparently, the surgery to correct his snoring disorder was not even performed as he still snores.

The hospital, after the incident, withdrew the little support it previously gave Nathaniel and his mother – the hospital previously took half the cost of drugs purchased for him.

The boy’s mother made these claims on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem on Thursday.

Watch the interview below:

The group which also includes Legon Cities FC, Lemla Petroleum Limited, Networking for Hope (An NGO based in Accra), Airtech Limited and Lemla Veterinary Services made the donation as part of efforts to curb the spread of the Coronavirus and to support the Hospital and the GAF Treatment Centre, to manage the cases brought to the facilities.

The items presented included 500 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 516 disposal bedsheets rolls, 50 each of Canula S14 and S18s, 55 Video Laryngoscopes and 28 Dissecting Forceps, 21 Bedsteads, 12 Bedside Desks, Carrier Stretchers and Examination Bed.

The others are Wheel Chair, Food Trolleys, Metro Shelving, Suction Machines and Gaskets, Nebulizers,vacuum seals, patient strap, dissecting forceps, vagina speculums, aneroid sphygmanometer, thermometers, ambu bags, bar soaps, tissue rolls and sanitiser dispensers and a host of other equipment and numerous assorted disinfectants.

The items were donated on behalf of the group by Dr Kwaku Danso Agyei, a Ghanaian Physician and Richard K. Atikpo whose is the Board Chair of Legon Cities, Gulf Energy, Lemla Energy and more.

The Isolation Centre, which is functional at the EL-Wak Sports Stadium, is to help manage the spread of the coronavirus.

Speaking to the media after the donation businessman Atikpo reiterated the importance of supporting the work of government in dealing with the threat of COVID-19.

“We are excited to be part of governments’ efforts in dealing with this deadly virus. This is a virus that has claimed the lives of many people all over the world.

“Government alone cannot be solely responsible for footing the bills and as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, we believe that there is the need to support the team fighting the threat of COVID-19 and therefore have decided to come in to aid the 37 Military Hospital and the GAF COVID-19 Treatment Centre,” he said.

The group has also taking up additional responsibilities of feeding the medical personnel on site daily in the line of duty since the 10^th of April, 2020.

The Director-General of Medical Services of GAF and the Commander, 37 Military Hospital Brigadier General (Brig Gen) EC Saka and Brig Gen NA Obodai, respectively, on behalf of GAF and the Hospital, expressed deep appreciation to the group for the huge support.

The Generals noted that the items will go a long way to aid the facilities to perform their roles to the optimum and further noted that since the government and GAF could not do it all alone, support from the private sector, organizations, and individuals, was commendable and most welcome.