The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has demanded a retraction and apology from Ghanaian-American comedian Michael Blackson over his description of the facility as the “worst hospital in Ghana.”
UGMC says the comments have damaged its reputation and do not reflect the hospital’s standards or performance.
The Director of Medical Affairs, Dr. Baffour Gyan, rejected Blackson’s claim.
“To come out and say UGMC is the worst hospital, that one I disagree totally,” he said.
Dr. Gyan said hospitals should be judged based on their performance, facilities and qualified medical staff rather than one person’s experience.
UGMC also rejected allegations that Blackson’s 83-year-old mother was misdiagnosed or poorly treated at the hospital.
According to Dr. Gyan, Blackson’s mother was referred to UGMC from another health facility with a severe infection.
He said she spent eight weeks at UGMC, including six weeks in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where doctors and other health professionals treated her according to standard medical procedures.
“For diagnosis and management, 100% we did not do anything wrong,” Dr Gyan said.
He explained that the severe infection with which she was admitted was ultimately responsible for her death.
Dr. Gyan expressed condolences to Blackson and his family, acknowledging the pain of losing a loved one despite efforts by medical professionals to save the patient.
UGMC has confirmed that its lawyers have formally written to Michael Blackson over his comments on social media.
The hospital is asking the comedian to withdraw his statement and apologise.
“Our lawyers have written to him just for him to retract and apologise for all that he said on social media,” Dr Gyan said.
UGMC said it is awaiting Blackson’s response.
