The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has paid a surprise working visit to the Mother and Child Hospital following the reported death of a 27-year-old pregnant woman, Abigail Opoku, an incident that has sparked public concern and renewed calls for accountability within the healthcare system.

The visit formed part of the Minister’s efforts to assess the circumstances surrounding the incident, engage hospital management and frontline health workers, and evaluate challenges affecting maternal healthcare delivery at the facility.

Abigail Opoku reportedly died in April 2026 after allegedly being denied an emergency caesarean section due to the unavailability of recovery beds.

The incident generated widespread public outrage, with relatives and sections of the public raising concerns over possible medical negligence and systemic shortcomings in emergency maternal care.

During the visit, Hon. Akandoh assured the public that the Ministry of Health would ensure a thorough review of the matter while taking steps to strengthen emergency maternal healthcare services across the country.

The Minister inspected key departments within the hospital, interacted with healthcare personnel, and assessed infrastructure and operational challenges affecting service delivery.

He stressed the importance of efficiency, professionalism, and timely emergency response in healthcare facilities, particularly in cases involving maternal and neonatal care.

Hon. Akandoh further assured the bereaved family and the public that the Ministry would collaborate with the appropriate authorities to investigate the incident and implement measures aimed at preventing similar occurrences in the future.