In the healthcare setting, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Every moment carries the weight of life and death. When a life is tragically lost while attempting to save it, the question looms large: who should bear the blame? This, although a seemingly simple question, doesn’t have a straightforward answer, as a complex interplay of factors are responsible for the outcome of any medical intervention. The fragility of human life underpins the sacred commitment that healthcare professionals make to preserve it; a promise built on care and compassion.

Yet, despite the noble intentions that run deep within the healthcare industry, malpractice has cast a shadow over countless lives. Patients, who enter healthcare systems seeking solace and healing, sometimes emerge from these encounters facing devastating consequences: death, injury, emotional turmoil, and financial ruin. It is alarming to note that a significant number of clinical accidents stem from medical negligence. By definition, medical negligence refers to a situation where a healthcare professional’s actions fall below the accepted standard of care, causing harm or injury to a patient.

A striking revelation from a 2022 article in the Ghana Medical Journal highlights a deeply troubling reality: out of nine case laws related to medical malpractice in Ghana, seven were rooted in negligence. When Dr. Sam Bentil, a respected UK-based psychologist, boldly claimed that a staggering 80% of hospital deaths in Ghana are due to such negligence, it revealed the growing mistrust among Ghanaians towards their healthcare system.

The recent tragedy surrounding Bavug Abdul Salim on April 13, 2025, at the Tamale Teaching Hospital sent shockwaves through the community. His struggle with severe dyspnea and the desperate need for ventilation culminated in outrage when he passed away, triggering public condemnation of the hospital. This outcry revealed not just a reaction to one incident, but a broader frustration with a healthcare system that many feel has let them down.

In the Hospital’s defence via an official Press Release, they claim that at the time Bavug was admitted to the hospital’s ICU, all four ventilators were in active use and so there was little the intensivists could do. Dr. Valentine, Head  of the Emergency Department echoed this sentiment when the Minister of Health, Hon. Mintah Acandoh, upon a surprise visit, publicly confronted the relevant stakeholders in the Bavug incident, stating that the situation was a consequence of inadequate medical resources rather than negligence. However, the Health Minister, Hon. Mintah Acandoh, expressed the public’s discontent, insisting that the hospital should have done better.

Clearly, both parties felt the need to defend their arguments in the court of public opinion and so what began as a reasonable dialogue rapidly devolved into a heated altercation; an emotional clash reflecting the deep-seated frustrations and fears of a populace that desires better.

Evidently, the conclusion as to who is actually responsible for the Bavug incident isn’t straightforward. The host of factors are complex. The tragic incident is not simply about one unfortunate death; it shines a light on systemic issues that plague our healthcare infrastructure. There is a glaring lack of coordination between the Health Service, Teaching Hospitals, and government. Accountability is absent, and resources are scarce, leading to a reactive rather than proactive approach in meeting public health needs.

This Bavug incident should serve as a clarion call for change. The healthcare system in Ghana demands immediate, comprehensive reform, one that engages all stakeholders in a concerted effort to restore trust and integrity in medical care. The aftermath of the Bavug tragedy must serve as a pivotal moment, galvanizing us to strive for excellence in healthcare delivery. Together, we must take steps towards creating a system that prioritizes patient safety and well-being, where no life is lost in vain and where each individual is treated with the dignity and care they deserve. Let this be our collective rallying cry for a healthier Ghana.