The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, Abraham Koomson, has called for an investigation into the management of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the GPHA Hospital. This follows the death of his son and concerns over the high cost of treatment at the facility. Koomson expressed frustration over the treatment his family received while his son was admitted to the hospital. He incurred medical expenses exceeding GH¢340,000, but doctors were unable to save his son.
According to Koomson, 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 was privately operated. Koomson 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.
Koomson 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.
Koomson 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. He asked how many people in Ghana can afford almost GH¢400,000 for medical treatment, stressing that access to quality healthcare should not be determined solely by a patient's financial capacity.
Koomson's concerns go 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.
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.
Koomson 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. Koomson declared that he will pursue the matter to any level to ensure accountability and protect patients.
Key points
- Abraham Koomson demands investigation into GPHA Hospital's ICU management and high treatment costs.
- Koomson's son died after incurring medical expenses exceeding GH¢340,000.
- The ICU was privately operated, charging approximately GH¢34,000 per day for treatment.
