Nurses Union Fumes Over Ridge Assault Report, Says Medical Evidence Overlooked

The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Jefferson Asare, has strongly challenged the ministerial committee’s findings on the Ridge Hospital assault, insisting the victim, Nurse Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, was clinically diagnosed with polycontusion—multiple bruises marked by swelling, redness, and pain.

The committee, chaired by Dr. Lawrence Ofori-Boadu and set up by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, concluded on Wednesday, August 27, that there was no medical evidence of a shoulder dislocation as initially claimed. It noted that while the nurse was given pain medication, bed rest, and psychological support, her medical records showed no fracture or dislocation.

But speaking on Channel One TV’s Point of View, Mr. Asare countered that the official diagnosis was being downplayed.

“The diagnosis of the lady at the time was polycontusion. When we say polycontusion, what do we mean? It simply means redness, swelling, and pain at the site of the hit. That is when you diagnose somebody of polycontusion,” he explained.

He further questioned whether the committee’s conclusion was an indirect attempt to undermine the professional judgment of the attending doctor.

“So do they want to tell us that the doctor who did the diagnosis doesn’t know what he or she is doing? Is that what the committee wants to tell us?” he asked.

The GRNMA insists that the report must not erase the fact of the assault or discredit the medical professionals who treated the victim.