The Volta Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service has said the viral video circulating on social media of a patient’s relative and nurses at the South Tongu Municipal Hospital in Sogakope is an old incident being distorted as new.
The Regional Director of Health, Dr Emmanuel Atsu Dodor, in a statement dated Saturday, October 4, 2025, clarified that the incident occurred about a year ago and has been investigated and resolved.
The Health Directorate also condemned the circulation of the outdated video, describing it as a deliberate attempt to misrepresent facts and tarnish the reputation of the hospital.
Part of the statement reads, “The incident in question occurred about a year ago and was thoroughly investigated and addressed at the time in accordance with the protocols and requirements of the Ghana Health Service”.
“We strongly condemn the malicious redistribution of outdated content as though it reflects a recent occurrence. Such actions create unwarranted public anxiety, undermine trust in healthcare institutions, and distract from the progress being made in improving patient care and health services,” the statement added.
The Volta Regional Health Directorate further assured the public that hospitals across the Volta Region remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of healthcare delivery.
In the alleged video that emerged a family was forced to transfer their relative to another health facility after medical staff at an unnamed hospital in the Volta Region allegedly failed to provide care to the patient in distress.
The health personnel remained unbothered and unresponsive, prompting the family to seek help elsewhere.
In the viral video, some irate men were heard saying, “You work before you demand money, look after the patient before you demand money, the patient has been here for two days”.
The family in distress later carried the visibly weak patient to another health facility.
“They said they were not going to treat the patient”, another voice stated.
Some Ghanaians have reacted, saying, “From what I’m hearing, the patient was admitted and absconded last year, so he owes hospital bills from last year, the hospital can’t take a risk again”.
“You want the ministry to do what exactly. When we, as a people, keep fighting those who fight for us. Until it happens to you or someone close to you, you will keep fooling in the name of party A or B. We don’t deserve good services in this country”, another stated.
One netizen wrote, “Using emotions to judge health professionals are so unethical, get your facts and judge. Too much emotions and castigations, who wouldn’t care for a patient, and also people should understand how things are administratively done in the hospitals”.
A nerizen added, “You should be there, read the nurse’s report and understand what happened. There is more to it than a short clip you see on the internet”.
“This incident is alarming and must not be ignored. No patient should be left without care in distress. We urge the Ministry of Health to investigate immediately and ensure accountability so that lives are protected and trust in our healthcare system is restored”, one more wrote.
Meanwhile, a similar incident happened at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) was thrown into confusion after a self-styled social activist, identified as Ralph St. Williams, stormed the emergency ward and filmed staff while accusing them of delaying treatment for his patient.
In a video that has since gone viral, Ralph is seen with blood on his hands, shouting at doctors and nurses for allegedly ignoring an accident victim he brought in. The footage, which also showed critically ill patients receiving treatment, has sparked concerns about patient privacy and hospital protocols.