Arrest of Journalists: Medical report not enough to prove torture- Doctor

Following conflicting reports of alleged torture meted out to some journalists, a medical doctor has urged caution in accepting medical reports as conclusive evidence of same or lack of it.

Dr. Justice Yankson argued on Joy News’ Newsfile show that intervening factors prior to seeing a medical doctor may impact the report.

Factors such as a victim delaying prior to seeing a doctor or taking a form of anti-inflammatory drugs before seeing a doctor have the potential to mask the evidence of torture, he told host Samson Lardy Anyenini, Saturday.

According to him, this renders such reports not entirely reliable.

Multiple media outlets reported the conflicting reports of torture of three journalists who work with Modernghana.com and Peace FM editor.

Emmanuel Britwum, Emmanuel Ajafor Abugri and Yaw Obeng Manu who arrested on allegations of cyber theft, claimed that they were tortured by personnel who arrested them.  

National Security and Emmanuel Britwum (one person who previously made the allegation) have denied the claim of torture.

A purported medical report circulating in the media and alluded to by Dr. Yankson is believed to have confirmed claims that no torture took place.

However, Medical practitioner says such a report if proven to be authentic, must be taken cautiously.

He also cautioned against the breach of the patients right by the unauthorised release of their medical records.

According to him, investigator and other security agencies working on such cases can only obtain such reports only with the consent of the patient or a court order.

Dr. Yankson has also urged medical facilities in possession of such reports not to cave into any pressure to release reports of such confidential nature without lawful authority.

 

 

 

 

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