Here are the key findings of the Ridge Hospital assault probe

The committee set up to investigate the alleged assault of a nurse at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital has presented its findings, pointing to gaps in medical evidence, staffing, security, and emergency care delivery.

Presenting the report in Accra on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, the Chairman of the committee, Dr Lawrence Ofori-Boadu, said medical records showed no fracture or bone dislocation in the case of the nurse, Ms Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, who reported injuries a day after the incident.

She was treated with pain relief, placed on bed rest, and provided with psychological support.

The committee identified the following issues:

Security

• Security at the emergency unit was grossly inadequate.
• Only one private security officer was deployed on a 12-hour shift despite heavy human traffic.
• The police post on the hospital premises was too far from the emergency department, forcing reliance on the Adenta Police Command.

Staffing

• In August, the emergency unit operated with only one doctor per shift and one specialist per day.
• Seven doctors and two specialists were permanently assigned to the unit.
• Of the 88 nurses routinely posted to the department, only 54 were at post while 34 had left for various reasons.

Equipment

• Imaging equipment, including X-ray, CT scan and MRI machines, was faulty.
• The breakdown of diagnostic machines caused delays and led to referrals outside the hospital.

The committee recommended:

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

Dr Ofori-Boadu said implementing these measures would improve emergency care, prevent future incidents and maintain public trust in health services.