Kasseh, Ada East District – A routine shopping trip turned into a life-saving mission when a principal certified registered anaesthetist, Ms. Harriet Oteng, intervened to save the life of a pregnant trader who collapsed at Kasseh Market.
The woman, Madam Grace Siawu, a trader from Sege, was later delivered of a healthy baby boy at the Ada East District Hospital, thanks to Ms. Oteng’s swift action.
Recounting the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Ms. Oteng, who has 13 years of professional experience, said she found Madam Siawu in a critical state.
“She collapsed and was sweating profusely, struggling to breathe, and unable to speak,” she said. After quickly reviewing the patient’s antenatal card and ruling out diabetes, Ms. Oteng administered a soft drink to stabilise her before transporting her to the hospital in her personal vehicle.
Not satisfied with the temporary recovery, she abandoned her shopping and rushed the patient to the hospital, where Madam Siawu safely delivered her baby the following day.
Grateful for the intervention, Madam Siawu said, “This is how every health professional should be committed to saving lives, whether on duty or not.”
The incident has since drawn praise from traders and onlookers at Kasseh Market, who hailed Ms. Oteng as “a shining example of dedication beyond the hospital walls.”
Beyond the celebration of her heroic act, Ms. Oteng used the opportunity to call for greater recognition of anaesthetists in Ghana’s healthcare system. She stressed that their role in resuscitation, surgical pain management, and ensuring safe recovery placed them at the heart of patient care.
“An anaesthetist takes full responsibility for the life of a patient on the surgical table, ensuring they return safely to their families, yet we are hardly considered for leadership opportunities in the health system,” she noted.
Her appeal has renewed calls for the government to create more opportunities for career advancement and leadership roles within the profession.
Source – My News Ghana
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