BY Nadia Ntiamoah
The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has firmly rejected several allegations made by Ghanaian-American comedian Michael Blackson regarding the treatment of his late 83-year-old mother, insisting that its clinical decisions were guided by professional medical judgment and not financial considerations.
The dispute has sparked nationwide debate over healthcare delivery, patient rights, accountability and the quality of medical services in Ghana after Blackson publicly accused the premier health facility of negligence, poor customer care and prioritising money over patient welfare following his mother’s death.
Blackson’s mother passed away on July 16, 2026, after receiving treatment at UGMC. In a series of emotional posts on social media platform X, the comedian expressed deep frustration over what he described as the hospital’s repeated failure to correctly diagnose his mother’s condition.
He labelled UGMC “the worst hospital in Ghana,” alleging that medical personnel repeatedly misdiagnosed her illness before eventually informing the family that she had died from an infection after weeks of treatment.
According to Blackson, his family spent approximately GH¢250,000 on medical care over a one-month period, only to lose their mother despite the substantial financial commitment.
Beyond the medical treatment itself, the comedian also accused some hospital staff of displaying a lack of compassion during one of the most painful moments for his family.
He alleged that when he arrived to identify his mother’s body, a member of staff appeared insensitive to the family’s grief.
He further claimed that another hospital employee requested a tip after assisting the family, an allegation that generated widespread criticism on social media.
Blackson also disclosed that tensions escalated further when his sister reportedly became involved in a physical confrontation with a male nurse, who subsequently reported the incident to the police.
However, in a detailed response, UGMC disputed several aspects of Blackson’s account, stating that an internal review had found inaccuracies in the claims circulating publicly.
The hospital explained that it had examined the concerns “thoroughly, fairly and objectively” through its established clinical and administrative procedures before issuing its response.
While acknowledging the public interest surrounding the case, UGMC stressed that it could not disclose details relating to Blackson’s mother’s diagnosis, treatment, medical records or clinical history because of its legal and ethical obligation to protect patient confidentiality.
The medical centre emphasised that confidentiality obligations continue even after a patient’s death.
“Consistent with the ethical standards of our institution and our core values, we have a duty to safeguard the confidentiality of every patient’s medical and personal information, an obligation that continues even after death,” the hospital stated.
UGMC also strongly rejected suggestions that financial considerations influenced the medical care provided to Blackson’s mother.
According to the hospital, all clinical decisions are made solely by qualified healthcare professionals based on accepted medical standards, professional judgment and what they consider to be in the patient’s best interests.
The institution explained that its billing processes are governed by established administrative policies and operate independently of medical decision-making, dismissing accusations that treatment was influenced by payment considerations.
Regarding allegations of staff misconduct, UGMC assured the public that every complaint would receive serious attention.
The hospital stated that any specific allegation involving misconduct by members of staff would be fully investigated and, where necessary, referred to the appropriate authorities for further action.
It also addressed the alleged altercation involving Blackson’s sister and a hospital employee, confirming that the matter had already been referred to law enforcement agencies. The facility declined to provide further details because the issue remains under police investigation.
Despite rejecting many of the comedian’s allegations, UGMC indicated that it remains willing to engage privately with Michael Blackson and his family in an effort to address their concerns and provide any clarification permitted under medical confidentiality rules.
The hospital had earlier expressed regret that Blackson’s experience at the facility left him dissatisfied, reiterating its commitment to professionalism, accountability and continuous improvement in patient care.
Meanwhile, Blackson has expressed reservations about pursuing legal action against the hospital, suggesting that court proceedings in Ghana could take several years to conclude.
