Man refused blood to dying son

An auto air-condition repairer who refused blood transfusion for his two-year old son on religious grounds which led to his death on Tuesday appeared before an Accra Circuit.

Jakes Komla Asamoah, 33, has been charged with negligently causing harm and intentionally and unlawfully refusing access of the necessities of health and life to his son.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted to GH¢ 10,000 cedis bail with two sureties to be justified.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr. George Abavelim prosecuting said the complainant in the case was Dr. Maame Yaa Nyarko, a medical officer at the Princess Marie Hospital, Accra while the accused lived at Amansan.

He said on February 9, this year at about 1205 mid-day, the accused took his son by name Kelvin Asamoah, aged two years four months, who was sick to the Princess Marie Hospital for treatment.

Mr Abavelim said on arrival at the hospital, the medical officer on duty examined Kelvin and noticed that the patient was anaemic and needed blood transfusion but the accused who is a member of the Jehovah Witness refused and insisted on religious grounds that his son should not be given any blood transfusion.

He said because of the refusal of the accused for the son to be given blood the boy died on February 10 and a report was made to the Police and Asamoah was arrested and in his caution statement admitted the offence.
Post mortem report on the deceased stated the cause of death among others as “severe anaemia”.

The deceased has since been buried.