Statement by Human Rights Advocacy Centre on the death of little Prosper

On 11th April 2018, Ghana was horrified when Joy FM reported on Prosper, a 9 week old baby
whose life was terminated when he was taken off oxygen supply at the St. Gregory Hospital at
Kasoa in the Central Region. The decision to cut oxygen supply to the child who was reported to be
unable to breathe on his own was as a result of the mother’s inability to assure a medical doctor on
duty of her ability to pay a sum of GHS533, being accrued medical bill for the supply of oxygen. It is
even more saddening to learn that shortly after the death of Prosper, his father rushed to the hospital
with the money to settle the baby’s medical bill.
The right to life is a fundamental human right. Accordingly, under no circumstance should a person
be deprived of this right, not even in the event of having been found culpable of a capital offence.
Ghana’s Constitution Review Commission has recommended that death penalty be abolished which
was accepted by government. It is therefore unacceptable that the doctor who belongs to a
profession which is entrusted with human life, and who has taken an oath to protect and save lives
should take a decision, and put into action such decision to terminate Prosper’s life. This decision
and action thereon was not because little Prosper committed an offence (in which case termination
of his life will even be unacceptable), but because his parents were unable to pay for service
rendered him.
The Human Rights and Advocacy Centre therefore condemns the act of the medical doctor and
wishes to state that investigations by the Ghana Health Service and the superiors of the health
facility is not enough. That we consider it inadequate for this matter to be treated only as a case of
professional misconduct. We therefore call for police investigations into the matter and prosecution
of the medical doctor involved for his deliberate and unconscionable conduct leading to the death
of little Prosper. We believe that his prosecution will not only send a message to duty bearers and
service providers to uphold high standards of care especially where their services relate to
fundamental human rights, but also send a clear message to everyone that Ghana upholds the rule
of law in all situations irrespective of the status of affected persons.
It is on this note that we have petitioned the Inspector General of Police with notice to the Attorney-
General and Minister for Justice and the Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and
Administrative Justice to initiate investigations into this matter and prosecute the medical doctor
involved to bring justice to Prosper’s family. We also call on government to strengthen the National
Health Insurance Scheme to enable vulnerable populations access health care.
The Human Rights and Advocacy Centre is committed to ensuring the realisation, respect,
promotion and protection of the human rights of all persons, especially the vulnerable. We assure
the general public that we will follow up with the Ghana Police Service on this matter.
Thank you.

Human Rights Advocacy Centre

12th April, 2018.

+233 (302) 768 733 / +233 (546) 012 167