The family of Sumaila Amadu, a chronic kidney disease patient who died after a reported power outage during a dialysis session at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), is demanding a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Sumaila, who depended on dialysis treatment twice a week, visited the hospital on Tuesday, August 25, for his scheduled evening dialysis session.
However, what was expected to be a routine treatment reportedly turned into an emergency when a power outage occurred while he was undergoing dialysis.
According to the family, Sumaila began experiencing difficulty breathing during the outage. They said they were subsequently informed that the hospital’s standby power plant was not functioning at the time.
The family further alleged that oxygen was unavailable at the renal clinic when Sumaila’s condition deteriorated.
He later died.
The circumstances surrounding his death have left his family demanding answers and accountability from the hospital and relevant authorities.
They are calling for a transparent and independent investigation into the incident, including the cause of the power interruption, the reported failure of the hospital’s standby power system, the availability of oxygen at the renal clinic, and the response of medical personnel to Sumaila’s deteriorating condition.
The family also wants investigators to determine whether all appropriate medical interventions were provided and whether Sumaila’s life could have been saved if the hospital’s emergency systems had functioned as expected.
For the family, the matter goes beyond establishing the immediate cause of Sumaila’s death.
They say the investigation should ensure accountability and help prevent a recurrence, particularly for patients undergoing critical medical procedures that depend on reliable electricity, oxygen and other emergency support systems.
The Tamale Teaching Hospital and relevant health authorities are yet to publicly respond to the family’s concerns.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
