[2000]DLCHRAJ5892 • August 16, 2000 • Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice
ALBERT SOMI AND TEMA GENERAL HOSPITAL
On 4 January 1998, Patience Somi, pregnant and experiencing severe bleeding, was rushed to Tema General Hospital at about 6:30 a.m. Upon arrival, no doctor was available to attend to her. The night doctor had left earlier, and the morning doctor did not report until much later. Despite nurses' efforts to resuscitate her and calls to doctors, medical attention was delayed. Patience was eventually taken to surgery but died during the operation; her unborn baby had also died prior to arrival. The hospital admitted the absence of doctors but denied liability, claiming the baby was already deceased and that the death was not caused by delayed care.
read moreINTRODUCTION On 4th January, 1998 at about 6.30 a.m. Patience Somi, who was pregnant, was rushed to the Tema General Hospital after she experienced severe bleeding at her parents' home. On arrival at the Out-Patient-Department (O.P.D.) there was no doctor to attend to her. The night Doctor, Dr. Somia, left the hospital between 4.00 a.m. and 4.30 a.m. Dr. Asare-Amoah who was supposed to take over from Dr. Somia at 8.00 a.m. did not show up until much later. Several hours later when Dr. Asare-Asamoah eventually arrived, she was rushed to the theatre for surgery but she did not survive the operation. The baby in her womb also died. The duty driver who was supposed to be on duty with the night medical team to do emergency errands was also not at post. On 6th January, 1998 Albert Somi, the father of Patience Somi, filed a complaint with the Commission claiming compensation for the death of his daughter and her baby as a result of the negligence of the hospital. The Hospital admitted tha...