- Elderly woman abandoned on road in Gomoa Ojobi after hospital discharge.
- She lay there for a week, crying in pain, until her death on June 10.
- Hospital staff's actions sparked outrage, leading to suspension and investigation.
- Community seeks justice, regrets not helping her, and vows to prevent similar tragedies.
“Gomoa-Ojobi, a village in Ghana’s Central Region, was shrouded in a somber atmosphere ten days after the tragedy. A tangible sense of sorrow and grief lingered in the air.”
The villagers were still reeling from the shocking death of an elderly woman, abandoned by those who should have cared for her. The spot where she lay, forsaken and struggling, still felt heavy with sadness.
The memory of her suffering was etched deeply into the hearts of the villagers, who couldn’t forget the haunting tragedy. Her legs had deteriorated, and her body emitted a powerful stench. After a week of struggle, she finally gave up her soul and died on June 10, 2024.
Remains of her belongings, including her cover cloth and a plastic rubber that served as a bed, were still at the scene. Residents felt they could have done better, despite their efforts to help.
The tragedy began with a road crash in Gomoa Ojobi, where the woman, suspected to have a mental illness, was taken to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital. She stayed there for two months, but no family came to visit or take her home.
The hospital staff did their best, but with little information, they struggled to find her family. When she was discharged, they allegedly abandoned her on a desolate bush road, where she lay for a week, crying in pain.
Residents Eric Amoako Baffo and Akos Opare recounted the woman’s heartbreaking story, expressing their helplessness in easing her suffering. Another resident, Vida Anaman, still walks past the spot daily, haunted by the thought that she could have done more to save the woman’s life.
The Assemblyman for the area, Geoffrey Payin Inkum, expressed concern over the incident, vowing to ensure it never happens again. The Ghana Health Service suspended the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. George Prah, pending an investigation.
A committee was set up to uncover the truth within 30 days, prompting me to visit the hospital to understand how such a tragedy could occur. The community of Gomoa Ojobi remains united in their grief and determination to seek justice for the woman who was abandoned in her time of greatest need.
As the investigation proceeds, the villagers hope that no one else will suffer the same fate, and that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions. The tragic incident has left a lasting impact on the community, serving as a reminder of the importance of compassion and care for the vulnerable.
