Ridge hospital assault committee cites security, staffing, and equipment failures

The committee set up to investigate the alleged assault of a nurse at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital has presented its report, revealing serious shortcomings in security, staffing, and emergency care delivery at the facility.

Presenting the findings in Accra on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, the Chairman, Dr. Lawrence Ofori-Boadu, said medical records did not support claims that the nurse, Ms. Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, suffered a fracture or dislocation. She reported her injuries a day after the incident, was treated with pain relief, advised to rest, and placed under psychological support.

Beyond the medical assessment, the committee highlighted systemic gaps that undermine the hospital’s capacity to manage emergencies effectively.

Security Failures
The report found that security at the emergency department was “grossly inadequate,” with only one private guard deployed per 12-hour shift despite heavy human traffic. The hospital’s police post was also too far from the unit, forcing reliance on the Adenta Police Command in times of crisis.

Staff Shortages
The committee discovered that in August, the emergency unit operated with only one doctor per shift and one specialist per day. While seven doctors and two specialists were assigned to the unit, many were unavailable. Of the 88 nurses posted there, only 54 were at post, with 34 absent for various reasons.

Faulty Equipment
Key diagnostic tools, including X-ray, CT scan, and MRI machines, were out of service. Their breakdown created long delays and forced referrals to outside facilities, further straining emergency care.

Recommendations
The committee proposed urgent measures to prevent similar incidents, including:

Deploying more security personnel and ensuring regular police presence at the emergency department, particularly at night and on weekends.
Expanding CCTV coverage across critical care areas.
Recruiting additional doctors, nurses, and client service staff.
Repairing and retooling diagnostic equipment.
Establishing more secondary-level hospitals in the region to reduce pressure on Ridge Hospital.
Intensifying public education on the role and limits of emergency services to prevent confrontations.

Dr. Ofori-Boadu stressed that implementing these reforms would strengthen emergency care delivery, safeguard health workers, and rebuild public trust.