The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has called on the government and relevant authorities to investigate the management of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the GPHA Hospital following the death of his son and concerns over the cost of treatment at the facility.
Mr Koomson says he will pursue the matter until the circumstances surrounding the management of the unit, its relationship with private service providers and the cost of treatment are thoroughly examined.
Speaking on Ahotor 92.3 FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem Morning Show with Citizen Kofi Owusu, he expressed frustration over the treatment his family received while his son was admitted to the hospital.
According to him, the family incurred medical expenses exceeding GH¢340,000, but doctors were unable to save his son.
Mr Koomson explained that his son initially required emergency medical attention, but the emergency unit could not provide the necessary facilities to stabilise him. The family was subsequently referred to another ICU within the same hospital, which he said was privately operated.
He alleged that the private ICU charged approximately GH¢34,000 per day for treatment, describing the cost as excessive and beyond the reach of many ordinary Ghanaians.
He further recounted that after the main bill had exceeded GH¢340,000, the family was presented with an additional bill of about GH¢1,600. He alleged that they were informed that his son’s body would not be released for burial until the outstanding amount was settled.
The labour leader questioned why a facility within a government-established hospital would rely on a privately operated ICU, particularly when qualified medical professionals are available in the country.
He also raised concerns about the reported absence of doctors at the unit to which his son was referred, saying the circumstances require a thorough investigation into the availability of medical personnel and the arrangements governing the unit’s operations.
“How many people in Ghana can afford almost GH¢400,000 for medical treatment?” he asked, stressing that access to quality healthcare should not be determined solely by a patient’s financial capacity.
Mr Koomson said his concerns went beyond the death of his son, insisting that the matter must be addressed to prevent other families from experiencing similar difficulties.
He questioned who authorised the reported outsourcing arrangement and whether the relevant authorities were aware of how the ICU was being managed.
He also called for clarification on the ownership and administrative supervision of the facility, including whether the Ministry of Health has direct responsibility for its operations or whether oversight rests with other authorities.
Mr Koomson indicated that he would petition the Minister of Health and, if necessary, the Presidency to establish the facts surrounding the hospital’s management and the decision to have the ICU operated privately.
He said the authorities must determine whether the arrangement was necessitated by a shortage of personnel, a lack of equipment or other operational challenges.
The GFL Secretary-General further alleged that other families had experienced similar difficulties but were unable to speak publicly. He said a proper investigation would help establish the facts and determine whether changes were needed.
Maintaining that his objective was to ensure accountability and protect patients, Mr Koomson declared: “I will not stop here. I will pursue this matter to any level.”
He urged the authorities to clarify the hospital’s status, the management structure governing the ICU and the reasons behind the reported private arrangement.
The hospital’s management and relevant authorities are expected to respond to the allegations, including the reported daily charges, the additional bill and the circumstances surrounding the family’s experience.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah