Accra, 8th June, Ghana - A medical officer and a nurse of
the Effia-Nkwanta Government Hospital in Sekondi turned
their ward into a boxing arena over what might be termed
"occupational dispute".
In the end, both were bruised and ended up at the casualty
ward for treatment.
Thirty-year-old Dr. Francis Ibrahim Benpodzi and Sarah
Arthur a 51 year old nurse, fought twice last Tuesday over
an alleged noise-making at the ward.
Ms Arthur, said she and three other nurses were on duty at
the General Medical Unit Ward where Dr. Benpodzi also works.
"At about 1.30pm, an elderly woman walked into the ward for
medical check-up," she said.
According to Ms Arthur, the old woman, on being asked
whether she was accompanied to the hospital replied: "I came
with God and God will take me back home after my treatment."
Asked about her age she said she was 20. These answers, Ms
Arthur said, drew spontaneous laughter among the nurses.
She said Dr. Benpodzi on hearing the laughter, emerged from
his consulting room very furious, claiming that the nurses
were laughing at him.
Ms Arthur said when she tried to explain that the laughter
was not about him, Dr. Benpodzi got offended and warned that
if me, in particular, did not stop laughing, he "will beat
me" she said.
Ms Arthur said when she replied that he could not beat her
for laughing, Dr. Benpodzi pounced on her. That resulted in
a fierce fight.
Ms Arthur said other nurses, a female doctor and a security
man intervened and separated them.
Ms Arthur said she went out to report the incident to the
hospital administration but Dr. Benpodzi followed her up the
staircase and beat her again.
"In self defence, I bit his chest so hard that he freed me
from his grip," she narrated.
"Both of us were then sent to the casualty ward for
treatment. I am feeling pains all over my body," Ms Arthur
complained.
She said she eventually lodged complaints to the hospital
authorities and the police.
Explaining his action, Dr. Benpodzi said the four nurses
were fond of conversing and laughing on duty, thus keeping
the patients waiting unduly.
He said he had warned them on many occasions but they would
not change their "bad working attitude."
Asked why he did not report their conduct to their superior
officers but rather decided to take the law into his own
hands, Dr. Benpodzi alleged that it was Ms Arthur who first
slapped him and that provoked him to retaliate.
One of the nurses, who was an eye-witness, corroborated Ms
Arthur's version and denied that they were fond of
conversing thereby delaying patients.
An official of the hospital said the authorities were trying
to withdraw the case from the police to be treated
"administratively."
Meanwhile, nurses at the hospital have resolved not to work
with Dr. Benpodzi.
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