Dr. Richard Anthony, the Medical Director of Tema General Hospital, has expressed concern about the disturbing frequency of individuals being brought to the hospital already deceased.
Dr. Anthony revealed that in 2023, a total of 1,079 people, comprising 621 males and 458 females, were brought dead on arrival at Tema General Hospital. He emphasized the alarming nature of this trend, noting an increase from the previous year’s count of 882 in 2022. Notably, a significant portion of those arriving deceased belonged to the working class.
During the annual performance review of the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate, Dr. Anthony mentioned that the hospital is investigating the potential causes behind this concerning pattern. He urged the public to promptly report any health concerns to nearby health institutions.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of individuals experiencing complications after discharge to return to the hospital promptly, rather than staying at home in the hope of improvement.
According to statistics provided by the hospital to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the top 10 certified causes of death in 2023 included cerebrovascular diseases, cardiovascular diseases, hypertensive complications, and diabetic complications. Other notable causes were liver diseases, acute respiratory distress, severe sepsis, pneumonia, kidney diseases, and hypovolaemic shock.