The Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) has launched a multidisciplinary investigation into the death of a chronic kidney disease patient during a dialysis session, following public concerns linking the incident to a power outage at the hospital.
Management of the hospital said the investigation team had been tasked to submit its report within one week as it seeks to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and address concerns raised by the bereaved family and the public.
The hospital, however, stopped short of confirming that the power outage caused the death, saying records showed that the patient’s clinical parameters changed unexpectedly during his fifth scheduled dialysis session.
According to TTH, the patient had been scheduled for eight dialysis sessions in August, with the first four sessions successfully completed.
It said the patient’s condition changed unexpectedly during the fifth session and became inconsistent with the progress recorded during the preceding sessions.
“The attending clinical team responded in accordance with established clinical protocols and standards of care,” the hospital said in a statement issued on August 31, 2026.
The statement followed concerns raised on social media and by the patient’s relatives over the circumstances of his death, including claims that a power outage occurred while he was undergoing dialysis and that the hospital’s standby power and oxygen arrangements were inadequate.
TTH acknowledged that it experienced an unexpected power outage at about 8:48 p.m. on the day in question but said the outage was widespread and not limited to the hospital.
Management also disputed any suggestion that the hospital had no alternative oxygen supply during such emergencies.
It explained that its medical oxygen system is an automated piped system integrated with the hospital’s electricity supply, but said standby oxygen cylinders are available as an additional contingency measure to provide oxygen directly at patients’ bedside locations when required.
The hospital further said it maintains standby generators to provide alternative power during interruptions to the national grid, with technical personnel assigned on a rotational basis to operate and monitor the generators and ensure continuity of critical services.
The latest development comes after the patient’s family called for an independent and transparent investigation into his death, particularly the circumstances surrounding the power interruption, the reported failure of the standby power system, oxygen availability and the response of medical personnel as his condition deteriorated.
TTH said it would not disclose further details of the patient’s clinical condition or treatment because of its obligation to protect patient confidentiality and privacy.
It nevertheless said the case had been subjected to the hospital’s established system for reviewing and auditing deaths occurring within the institution.
Management urged the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unsubstantiated claims while the review process proceeds.
It said the dissemination of unverified information could misinform the public and cause further distress to the bereaved family.
The hospital said the investigation is intended to provide clarity on the circumstances of the death while reaffirming its commitment to patient safety, accountability, transparency and quality healthcare delivery.
The outcome of the one-week multidisciplinary investigation is expected to provide further clarity on the events surrounding the patient’s final dialysis session and whether any failure in the hospital’s emergency systems contributed to the death.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
