Ghanaian woman, Mabel Mensah has won a tune of GHS 4.3 million against the Juaben Government Hospital for negligence.
According to a report, Mabel Mensah who was pregnant for more than nine months was given medication more than what she was supposed to take to induce her to deliver which caused the baby to be born with Cerebral palsy.
The matter was taken to Kumasi High Court, and the court presided over by Justice Akrofa ruled in favour of the patient.
Giving more details about the matter, Lawyer Gyebo who stood represented the patient explained that “The Kumasi High Court presided over by Justice Akrofa awarded damages of the tune of GHS 4.3 million against the Juaben Government Hospital for negligently handled one Mabel Mensah. The brief background is that Mabel Mensah went to the Juaben Government Hospital to deliver and the Hospital detected that she was gone passed the nine months, so they had two options.”
He continued,”Firstly, whether to induce her to deliver or go by the Caesarean section (operation) and they opted to induce her and I think the drug they gave her, the plan was to break down one (1) tablet into four and administer each component in every four hour after doing monitoring the filter heart with. The first one was done, the second one was done but the step sequence once was not done. And I think there was a change in shift.”
“The next morning, the midwife came and administered the full tablet because she wanted to compensate for, probably, the sections which were not done. And when it happened it led to uterine rupture and profuse bleeding. So Mabel was bleeding profusely and I think in the process the blood actually drowned the baby. Once the baby drowns in blood it can lead to asphyxiation. Which is difficult to breathe, difficult to access oxygen.” The Lawyer explained.
Lawyer Gyebo therefore adviced Ghanaians whose rights as a patient are breached not to keep silent but they should test the law.
“Now that led to Cerebral palsy. So the baby was born with Cerebral palsy and the matter was taken to court and the High Court ruled in favour of the patient and awarded damages to a tune of GHC 4 million and cost of three (3) hundred thousand, making a total of GHC 4.3 million. So ladies and gentlemen, the issue of medical negligence as I keep saying in Ghana, if your right as a patient is breached, you are highly advised not to keep silent but must explore and test our law. You never know you could be the next lucky one to win damages to compensate for your lost” He advised.
What is Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is caused by a problem with the brain that happens before, during or soon after birth.
The brain can either be damaged or not develop normally, although the exact cause is not always clear.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
