'Bleeding' hearing-impaired pregnant woman left to die with baby at Manyhia District Hospital

The Ashanti regional branch of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, GFD-Ashanti, has accused the Manhyia District Hospital (MDC) of neglecting a hearing-impaired pregnant woman to bleed to death, together with her unborn child, on Sunday, 17 March 2019 when the patient was rushed there for emergency care.

In a statement jointly signed by Mr Tebi Amponsah Alfred, GFD President, Ashanti; and Ms Gifty Afi, Vice-President, the group said: “Our checks reveal that the late Abena was rushed to MDH on the dawn of the said Sunday by her husband after he noticed she was bleeding, but, unfortunately, they were told, upon arrival, that there was no doctor to attend to her.

“The deceased kept on bleeding and vomiting while the nurses present looked on unperturbed as narrated by the new widower. It was total neglect and he was snubbed when he sought to inquire into what exactly was going on that prevented his wife from getting medical attention. Poor Abena gave up the ghost after struggling for her life to no avail”.

Read the full statement below:

Sunday the 17th day of March 2019 is a day the family and loved ones of Abena Adumaba Donor (Mrs) will unfortunately never forget for the most disheartening reason. Pregnant Abena Adumaba who was rushed to the Manhyia District Hospital for bleeding together with her unborn baby ended up not coming back home to their family and loved ones as a result of sheer neglect by hospital staff, denying the husband of a wife and a child.

The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, GFD-Ashanti, whose attention has been drawn to this unfortunate incident, finds the situation unacceptable especially for a big hospital like MDH.

Our checks reveal that the late Abena was rushed to MDH on the dawn of the said Sunday by her husband after he noticed she was bleeding, but, unfortunately, they were told, upon arrival, that there was no doctor to attend to her.

The deceased kept on bleeding and vomiting while the nurses present looked on unperturbed as narrated by the new widower. It was total neglect and he was snubbed when he sought to inquire into what exactly was going on that prevented his wife from getting medical attention. Poor Abena gave up the ghost after struggling for her life to no avail.

This, we at the GDF, find totally unacceptable as we mourn with our brother.

We are demanding explanations from the hospital officials as to why our dear sister was ignored by the hospital’s medical staff to be left to die with her baby in such a painful and inhumane manner.

We are, therefore, calling on the necessary authorities to take action, as we also call on well-meaning Ghanaians to rally behind us to demand justice for our late sister.

It is our dear sister today, it could be anyone else tomorrow and this should not be encouraged at all in this day and age in Ghana.