By Kekeli K. Blamey
In a troubling case of medical negligence, Philomina Asieduwaa, a middle-aged woman, has taken legal action against Mamobi General Hospital in Accra after a cannula was left in her veins following a cesarean section.
Philomena, who delivered her baby at the hospital a week ago, reported severe pain in her left arm due to the cannula. Despite her repeated pleas, the hospital initially refused to take responsibility, instead referring her to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for the necessary surgical removal and asking her to bear the costs herself.
“I came to give birth at Mamobi Hospital but had a cesarean section. After the operation, just before I was discharged, I discovered that the cannula was broken in my vein. I was given a referral letter to Korle-Bu but the doctors there informed me that the procedure wasn’t free. It typically costs GH¢1000, but they agreed to take GH¢600 from Mamobi Hospital. When I returned to Mamobi, they told me to borrow money for the surgery, but I didn’t have any. I explained that I had no one to turn to for help,” Philomina recounted.
After persistent confrontations and interventions by her church members, Mamobi Hospital eventually agreed to cover the costs of the procedure at Korle-Bu.
In response to the incident, Mamobi General Hospital has launched an internal investigation into the matter.
