The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disclosed that it released the body of Ghanaian-American comedian Michael Blackson’s mother to her family for burial despite an outstanding medical bill following her eight-week admission.
The hospital’s Director of Medical Affairs, Dr Baffour Gyan, said the decision demonstrated UGMC’s commitment to putting patient care ahead of payment.
Speaking on Friday, August 7, 2026, Dr Gyan said the family was allowed to take the body for burial even though the full medical bill had not been settled.
He was responding to allegations by Michael Blackson that the hospital had placed greater emphasis on money than the care given to his mother before her death on July 16, 2026.
Dr Gyan explained that UGMC operates a billing system under which patients receive the necessary treatment before the total cost is presented to their families.
He said the approach was designed to ensure that financial considerations do not delay urgent medical care.
According to him, the system can sometimes create misunderstandings because families may only see the accumulated cost after a lengthy period of treatment.
He explained that patients receiving prolonged and intensive care may undergo several laboratory tests, scans, medication and other medical procedures, with all the costs eventually combined into one bill.
Dr Gyan said such a consolidated bill could appear significantly higher than expected because the family had not been making separate payments throughout the treatment period.
He noted that the cost of medical care depends largely on the condition of the patient and the level of specialised treatment required.
Dr Gyan cited patients who spend several weeks in intensive care as an example, saying such cases require continuous monitoring, specialised equipment and advanced medical interventions, all of which contribute to the final cost.
He said the facility’s approach was straightforward: patients should receive the care they need to save their lives, while billing matters are addressed afterward.
Dr Gyan’s comments come amid public discussion surrounding Blackson’s criticism of the facility following his mother’s death and concerns over the cost of her treatment.
