An investigating committee has been established by the Ministry of Health to look into claims of patient exploitation at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), which were the subject of a brutal exposé by investigative journalism group The Fourth Estate.
The report, “Medical Kalabule: Inside Ridge Hospital’s System That Exploits Patients,” which was released on January 18–19, 2026, describes what it calls a “prescription scam” in which surgeons allegedly tell patients to buy pricey medical supplies and equipment from private pharmacies even though the hospital has government-funded alternatives.
In the article, patients describe being coerced into purchasing products like endoscopic sets, virtual reality systems, intra-operative neuromonitors, neuronavigators, and fluorescein dye from particular vendors at exorbitant costs, sometimes quoted in US dollars in violation of Ghana’s foreign exchange laws.
The Ministry of Health issued a press release on Monday, January 19, 2026, acknowledging that the Fourth Estate’s study had been widely shared on social media and expressing shock and great concern about some of the findings.
The statement said, “The Ministry sympathises with patients and relatives who may have been subjected to any form of unprofessional conduct in any health facility across the country,”.
It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing the stress and financial burden patients face in accessing healthcare, while describing the issues raised as “serious and deserving of thorough examination.”
Accordingly, the Ministry is in the process of constituting an investigative committee to look into the matter.
The committee is expected to submit its report within fourteen (14) working days.
“The Ministry expects the full cooperation of all relevant stakeholders, including The Fourth Estate, to help unravel the facts and provide additional details necessary to ensure accountability and improve service delivery within our health system,” the release added.
Leave a comment