Statement: Report on the Demise of Student at UCC Hospital is Available

The SRC Health Committee’s report on the investigations conducted to find more details of the demise of Benjamin Tawiah at the UCC Hospital has been presented to the SRC President, Francis Kwabena Arthur.

On the 17th of October, 2015, Mr Benjamin Tawiah, a level 200 Biochemistry student and affiliate of Kwame Nkrumah Hall met his untimely demise at the UCC Hospital after a short illness.

The report became necessary amidst claims from a section of student news platforms that Benjamin “suffered inhumane treatment at the University hospital before his death”.

SUMMARY OF THE REPORT

According to the report, which was jointly signed by the Chairperson, Beryl A. Brown, and Secretary, Theophilus Mensah, of the Committee, it is clearly established first of all that Mr Benjamin Tawiah “was known to be a sickle cell patient in the year 2004 by his doctors back home”.

The report includes investigations and interactions with people who knew the details of the story, including but not limited to inputs from the Kwame Nkrumah Hall Administrator, the students who sent him to the hospital and the Hospital Management.

According to the report, Benjamin was placed under serious medical attention. He was admitted from Thursday, 15th October till his demise on Saturday, 17th October, 2015.

In the report, according to the Hospital Director, “the hospital management was aware of Benjamin’s situation from level 100 and they always give him the necessary attention whenever the need arises.”

It is clear in the report that the Hospital Director “confirmed that Benjamin was admitted and was given the necessary attention until his demise and that he (the Director) was even present at the emergency room to help save Benjamin when the situation became critical on Saturday, 17th October, 2015 but Benjamin passed on”.

The report also calls on students with any concerns about the hospital to forward their complaints to the Health Committee of the SRC.

POSITION OF THE SRC ON THE MATTER

These investigative findings do not erase all other genuine concerns and complaints about the UCC Hospital. The other problems still exist and though delicate, the SRC is prepared to go any length to safeguard the health and welfare of students. The report by the Health Committee is just a minute part of the efforts the SRC is making at addressing this challenge.

Copies of the full report will be made available at the SRC Office. The SRC is still working tirelessly on the complaints about the University hospital. Hopefully, we can build a better UCC together.

Kindly share.

Signed,
Theophilus Saki Sosi
SRC Public Relations Officer
[email protected]