Ghanaian in US Calls Out Ghana’s Health Sector Over Blood-for-Discharge Policy
- A Ghanaian man based in the US has shared a disturbing story about his grandmother’s reported detention at a hospital
- The elderly woman was allegedly denied discharge after receiving blood transfusions, despite being medically fit to leave
- The hospital reportedly demanded that the family bring donors to replace the transfused blood before release
A Ghanaian clinical pharmacist based in the United States has called out Ghana's healthcare system for what he described as an 'outdated and barbaric' policy.
Source: TikTok
In a passionate and emotional video spotted by YEN.com.gh, the man, identified as Lordamenyedor, narrated how his grandmother was treated in an "absurd manner" at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
The US-based Ghanaian said that his grandmother recently underwent three blood transfusions while on admission at the facility.
US-based Ghanaian shares frustration with healthcare system
According to him, the facility had medically cleared her to go home; however, a policy employed by the hospital prevented her from being discharged.
The policy reportedly demands that the family replace the blood used for her transfusion before she or other patients under the same category can be discharged.
The hospital insisted that the family find three people to donate blood, one for each transfusion unit, before allowing the elderly woman to leave.
This requirement has led to her prolonged stay in the hospital, resulting in additional costs and worsening care conditions.
During this forced stay, he alleged that she had been receiving poor care, including being left in her own urine for hours, which puts her at a high risk of infection.
Several female relatives who volunteered to donate blood were turned away simply because they were on their menstrual cycle.
The US-based Ghanaian, a clinical pharmacist who practised at Yale, suggested that the hospital's policy felt less like a medical necessity and more like a money-making tactic.
He concluded with an emotional plea for people to raise awareness and pressure the Ghanaian healthcare system, particularly the 37 Military Hospital, to change their practice.
Watch the video below:
Reactions to US-based clinician's healthcare system criticism
YEN.com.gh collected reactions from Ghanaians who watched the video on X. Some of the comments are below.
Akosuaelorm stated:
"It’s normal, it’s either you donate your own blood or you provide others to do it on your behalf. That's just how they restock. 🙏"
Nikki wrote:
It’s honestly horrible; nothing makes sense, and they always find a way to “justify” their actions and policies with senseless explanations. Sadly, I don’t see any real changes happening. Just curious, did they advise you of this prior to the transfusion?"
Adjei.Mudasir commented:
"Ghana’s blood banks rely heavily on donations. Hence, blood given has to be replaced, and this is communicated to the patients’ relatives when a transfusion is indicated. This is all due to low turnout on blood donations, the blood has to be replaced for the next patient that will need it."
Source: Twitter
Diehard fan leaves hospital to attend ShattaFest
YEN.com.gh had earlier reported that a young Ghanaian man got many talking after claiming that he left the hospital mid-treatment just to attend Shatta Wale's 2025 ShattaFest.
In a trending video, the diehard fan could be seen still attached to a hospital drip while talking about his love for the singer, Shatta Wale.
He disclosed that despite his illness and his mother's plea for him to stay, he decided to leave the hospital to attend the event and see his 'godfather.'
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
