The Western and Western North Regional Coordinator, National Ambulance Service, Dr Tawiah Siameh, has rejected a call by the Minority in Parliament for the interdiction of the ambulance crew following the the death of the 30-year-old nursing mother who was being transferred from Takoradi to Accra on referral.
The call for the interdiction was made by Juaboso lawmaker, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.
Following the death of the woman, the husband John Obiri Yeboah, accused personnel of the National Ambulance Service of gross unprofessionalism, leading to the death of his wife.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday January 12, Mr Mintah Akandoh who had visited the family of the deceased in the company of other Minority Members said “We will never leave this matter, we will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion. So far, we have listen to the family, we have listen tp the facility for the referral. There are more questions than answers that have been provided so far.
“So, for me, even at this hour if the ambulance driver and the crew are interdicted pending investigation that wont be bad at all.”
But asked whether the crew should be intrdicted, while speaking on the New Day Show on TV3 on Thursday Janury 13, Dr Tawaiah Siameh told host Johnnie Hughes that “no.”
He further stated that investigations must be conducted into the matter to ascertain the real culprits for punishments.
“The probe should come on. After the probe there is a report and whoever is found culpable will be held liable,” he said.
He further indicated that the doctor at the Holy Child Hospital Fijai in Sekondi-Takoradi got the referral wrong in this matter.
Dr Tawiah Siameh explained to Johnnie Hughes that there are basic things every doctor must know when it comes to referrals.
These include understanding the Ghana National Referral Policy Guidelines, assessing the patient’s situation, and taking into consideration the distance of the referral centre.
Asked whether the doctor who referred the deceased nursing mother got it wrong in making the referral decision, he answered ” Yes, he got it wrong.”
He further explained “You need to do an assessment of the pateints situation, take into consideration the distance the facility the reosuirces
“Know and undesnation Ghana Natioanl referral policy guodelines.
“If these were taken into consideration the best way is to have referred to the regional referral Centre [because] We have everything, we have the human resources, specialists, facilities.”
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana