A call for ‘The Charles Amissah Act’

In September 2013, my mother suffered a stroke at home whilst watching a kids’ program on TV. She was rushed to the Dansoman Polyclinic, where the doctor on duty quickly gave us a referral to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

Upon our arrival at the Emergency Room, we handed our referral note to the nurse on duty. She came back shortly after, told us there were no beds available, and instructed us to take her to Ridge Hospital instead.

Fortunately for me, I had a doctor friend at Ridge Hospital. I quickly called him. He told me there was no bed at Ridge either, and firmly advised that I should insist they attend to my mom right there in the car.

Having worked at Korle Bu during my National Service years earlier, and knowing how the system works, I went back to the Emergency Room and stated emphatically that I had contacted Ridge Hospital and had been told there was no bed available.

I insisted that they attend to my mother in the car or in a wheelchair. After some back and forth, they realized we were determined not to leave the ER. Eventually, they attended to her in a wheelchair.

Thirteen years on, I read about the tragedy of this vibrant 29-year-old young man, Mr. Charles Amissah, and it feels like déjà vu. Very tragic indeed. A precious life cut short in circumstances no family should ever have to endure.

How can a nation, thirteen years after my mother’s ordeal, still have a healthcare service that fails its people all over again? I do not want to go into the unfortunate and traumatic details of what happened to the late Charles Amissah of blessed memory.

Every right-thinking Ghanaian should be appalled at the circumstances surrounding his death. He does not need to be your brother or family member for you to feel the enormity of the pain and trauma his loved ones are currently going through.

God is not mocked; whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. I hope the hit-and-run driver, and all those whose actions or inaction contributed to the death of Charles Amissah, will read this piece. Human decency and integrity require us to own up to our actions, however unpleasant.

For us Christians, the Bible teaches us to love our neighbor as ourselves. You do not have to know someone before you offer them help in their distress, a truth perfectly illustrated by the Lord Jesus Christ in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:27-37).

I hereby entreat civil society, workers’ unions, religious bodies, and all right-thinking Ghanaians to rise up and demand accountability from those in authority—the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, the Medical and Dental Council, and the Government of Ghana. They must wake up to their responsibilities to the citizens of this country.

Enough of the impunity. Enough of the lip service. Enough of the “no bed” syndrome. Ghanaians deserve better health care at all times.

I urge Parliament, our representatives, to rise to the occasion in a bipartisan manner and enact “The Charles Amissah Act.” This Act must address the findings of the Professor Akosah Report, ensuring that the human errors and systemic failures that led to the unfortunate death of Charles Amissah never happen again.

Many families have suffered medical neglect and injustice at the hands of some health professionals and facilities. There must be accountability for systemic failures and unacceptable conduct. “The Charles Amissah Act” will help build a vibrant and resilient health system that works for all citizens and truly values human life.

The long silence and inertia must stop. Ghana’s Parliament must not fail the memory of Charles Amissah.

I am, Gloria Ivy Babshedow

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