We can't close down Obengfo – Medical Council

The Ghana Medical and Dental Council (GMDC) has said all efforts to close down the Advanced Body Sculpt Centre also known as Obengfo Hospital has failed.

The Council has, therefore, alerted patients who wish to visit the facility to be cautious about it.

Body sculpting is a procedure that alters the shape of the human body. It includes procedures that eliminate or reduce excess skin and fat that remain after previously obese individuals have lost a significant amount of weight, in a variety of places including the torso, upper arms, chest, and thighs.

The Director of Advanced Body Sculpt Centre, Dr. Obeng-Andoh has been standing trial in connection with the death of the Deputy CEO of the National Entrepreneurship Innovation Programme (NEIP), Stacy Offei-Darko, at his facility last year under what the deceased’s family described as strange circumstances.

Ms. Darko died while on admission at the Obengfo Hospital on 21 May 2018 after undergoing a surgical procedure performed by Dr. Obeng-Andoh.

Dr. Obeng-Andoh was charged for practicing medicine without a license and operating an unlicensed medical facility.

The embattled doctor has denied any wrongdoing.

The Police on Friday, 11 January 2019, said it has received an “interim report” from the Attorney General’s office on the alleged murder case involving Dr. Obeng-Andoh and his worker.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Simon Apiorsornu, told an Accra District Court that the AG has directed the police to ascertain certain facts and report back for final advice.

The court presided over by Arit Nsemoh adjourned the matter to 12 February 2019.

Meanwhile, the Registrar of the GMDC, Dr. E. K. Atikpui told Accra-based Citi FM on Wednesday, 30 January 2019 that all efforts to close down the facility and prevent its owner from illegal practice has proved futile.

“We went back to the place to get them informed when we learnt that the institution had become operational irrespective of the fact that it was closed down. We went again with them for that institution to be closed again.

“Unfortunately, the Medical and Dental Council is not a law enforcing agency and, therefore, we have done our part directing or assisting; or the police assisting us to make sure that that institution is closed. And for whatever reason, an individual, who is supposed to have been registered by the Medical and Dental Council and go by the rules that govern the medical and dentistry practice in Ghana, decides to take the law into his own hands. What do we do? We report to the appropriate authority.”