Betty’s Story and the Need for Emergency Surgical Care in Ghana
In 2007, my cousin Betty Crystal Ofori-Atta tragically lost her life in a road traffic accident. Betty, a 10-year-old, was crossing the road from a school camp at Shai Hills near Akosombo when she was struck by a car. Betty was taken to the Tema General Hospital but had to be transferred to Accra because the hospital lacked a CT scan.
When she arrived at Medlab Hospital, she had to be transferred to yet another facility because Medlab was closed on weekends. Later, at the 37 Military Hospital, Betty had to be transferred once again because the CT scan and life support machines were not functioning. Finally, Betty was admitted to Korle-Bu Hospital three hours after the accident.
At Korle-Bu, she was unable to receive the necessary medical care because there was no trained technician available to operate the life support machine. Seven hours after the accident, a CT scan revealed that she had a brain bleed. Tragically, Betty passed away around 10 PM on November 5, 2007.
Betty Crystal Ofori-Atta
Betty’s story highlights the critical gaps in Ghana’s healthcare system, particularly in the management of essential and emergency surgical care. The World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies recommends that all residents should live within a 2-hour drive of a fully functional neurotrauma facility; however, this is not the case in Ghana.
Fifteen years after Betty’s accident, many Ghanaians are still at risk of experiencing the same challenges as Betty. Dr. Nancy Abu-Bonsrah, a Ghanaian neurosurgeon trained at Johns Hopkins, found that 64.7% of Ghanaians live within a two-hour drive from a neurotrauma centre. Most of these Ghanaians reside in the Central, Greater Accra, Northern, and Ashanti regions, leaving the rest of the population with limited access to care. Dr. Abu-Bonsrah equally found that this number could increase to 75.6% if neurotrauma centres are established in Bono East, Volta, and Upper East.
To prevent tragedies like Betty’s, Ghana must make intentional investments in its emergency surgical and trauma capacities. Fortunately, progress is being made. On September 3, 2024, the Ministry of Health of Ghana launched the National Surgical, Obstetrics, and Anesthesia Plan, which aims to improve access to emergency and essential surgical, obstetric, and anesthesia care by 2030. This plan, developed by various stakeholders, including the professional medical, nursing, and allied health societies, is a crucial step forward. This year, the Ministry of Health led a National Surgical Dialogue to gather input from various stakeholders.
“if we do not make this investment, how many more lives are we willing to lose? ”
The national plan is projected to cost over $500 million, a sum many might find exorbitant, but this investment is essential to save lives and enhance Ghana’s healthcare system. Many of the expense items in the plan will ultimately benefit Ghanaians with other conditions. For example, investments in the nation’s information management system will help us better understand the epidemiology of conditions affecting Ghanaians of all walks of life.
Given the current economic situation, it is reasonable to question where the funding will come from. However, the more pressing question is: if we do not make this investment, how many more lives are we willing to lose? Given that everyone is at risk of traffic accidents and other surgical emergencies, we must address this issue.
I was reminded of this on a recent road trip to the Volta region, an experience that many Ghanaians endure each time the rubber of their vehicles hits our roads. I am confident that we can secure funding through various mechanisms. First and foremost, we can unite the numerous non-governmental organisations within the country to ensure that investments strengthen the surgical system with minimal duplication and waste. Additionally, we can secure maximum funding for emergency surgical care through multiple channels. For example, we can also leverage the support of the vast and patriotic Ghanaian diaspora, which is eager and willing to help. After all, our brothers and sisters abroad are often asked to cover the out-of-pocket costs related to emergencies. Importantly, diasporan Ghanaians are committed to reinvesting in their country, whether through donating equipment, providing training, or building partnerships with local institutions. Additionally, we need to collaborate closely with the private sector to increase investment in the health sector.
At this juncture, I must acknowledge the many efforts by Ghanaians to improve the state of emergency care in our country. For example, we have seen commendable efforts from Ghanaian foundations like the Betty Ofori-Atta Foundation that works to prevent further tragedies by purchasing this vital life-saving equipment and making it available for hospitals in Ghana, West Africa.
Betty would have turned 28 next month. She wanted to be a doctor and I have no doubt that she would have been a compassionate and technically-gifted physician. I am deeply saddened that her life was cut short but I choose to not be paralyzed by grief. Rather, I choose to act and I encourage all of us to do the same in memory of the departed. Betty’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive and accessible emergency surgical care in Ghana. Through this op-ed I want to make sure that no promising lives are lost due to our inadequate emergency system.
A side-by-side image of Betty Ofori-Atta; her childhood photo and an AI generated portrait, imagining her today.
