Ridge Hospital Nurse Assault Report Finds No Fractures, Exposes Security and Staffing Gaps
The investigative committee probing the alleged assault of a nurse at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) has confirmed that the staff member did not sustain any fractures or bone dislocations, contrary to earlier concerns.
Presenting the report in Accra, the committee’s chairman, Dr. Lawrence Ofori-Boadu, said the victim, Ms. Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, a rotational nurse, sought medical attention a day after the incident.
“There was no evidence of fracture on her left wrist or dislocation of her right shoulder joint, as documented by the medical records,” Dr. Ofori-Boadu stated.
The report indicated that Ms. Bortei was treated with pain relief, advised to take bed rest, and has since received psychological support.
Security Concerns at Emergency Department
The committee uncovered serious security lapses at Ridge Hospital’s emergency unit. Findings revealed that only one private security officer was assigned per 12-hour shift, despite heavy human traffic in the department.
Additionally, a police post located far from the emergency unit limited timely responses to incidents, leaving both patients and staff vulnerable.
Staffing Shortages Exposed
The report further highlighted critical staffing gaps within the emergency unit. In August alone:
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The unit operated with just one medical officer per shift, supported by a single specialist daily.
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A total of seven doctors and two specialists were permanently on duty.
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Out of 88 nurses assigned, only 54 were active, while 34 had exited for various reasons.
This shortage, the committee noted, placed undue pressure on the few staff available to manage emergencies.
Equipment and Infrastructure Challenges
Beyond security and staffing, the hospital also struggles with faulty diagnostic equipment, including X-ray, CT scan, and MRI machines, which remain in disrepair.
The committee recommended urgent repairs and investment in modern diagnostic tools to support emergency care delivery.
Recommendations
To restore public trust and prevent future incidents, the committee made the following key recommendations:
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Strengthen security at the emergency unit.
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Recruit additional clinical and customer care staff.
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Repair and upgrade diagnostic equipment.
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Expand secondary-level hospitals in the Greater Accra Region to reduce pressure on Ridge Hospital.
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Call for Urgent Action
Dr. Ofori-Boadu stressed that addressing Ridge Hospital’s security, staffing, and equipment gaps is crucial to ensuring safe and reliable healthcare.
He warned that failure to implement the recommendations could further undermine public confidence in Ghana’s emergency healthcare system.
Source: My News Ghana
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