In a tragic incident suspected to be a case of medical negligence, a 10-day-old baby has passed away at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Hospital in Kumasi.

The baby, named Faraj Mohammed, was admitted to the hospital for a routine male circumcision procedure.

However, according to sources within the facility, Faraj experienced cardiac arrest during the procedure and sadly passed away a few minutes later while under the care of the medical team.

The devastating turn of events has left the parents of the baby in a state of profound grief. Mohammed Jamal, a 36-year-old private security officer, and Halimatu Adams, a 27-year-old fashion designer, had brought their son to the KNUST Hospital on April 3 for what should have been a simple and routine procedure.

Upon arrival, Faraj Mohammed was attended to by a nurse who then escorted him to the theatre for the circumcision procedure. Unfortunately, the procedure took an unexpected and tragic turn, leading to the heartbreaking loss of the newborn's life.

“The baby was 10 days old so we decided to send him to hospital for circumcision. Whilst at the hospital, they showed us the theatre. We met a nurse who examined the baby, undressed him and took off his diapers and told us everything was okay,” says Mr Jamal.

The parents, seated anxiously in the waiting area outside the theatre, heard the piercing cry of their baby for what would tragically be the last time. The sound echoed through the air, leaving the parents filled with worry and dread. As the cries subsided, a sense of unease settled in their hearts.

In a distressing turn of events, senior nurses and doctors were observed hurriedly rushing into the theatre, causing the parents' anguish to deepen. Halimatu Adams, the baby's mother, instinctively sensed that something terrible had transpired, but she had no choice but to endure the agonizing wait for news about her beloved son.

During this time of uncertainty, every passing moment felt like an eternity, amplifying the emotional turmoil experienced by the parents. Their hearts were heavy with concern as they grappled with the fear of what might have befallen their precious child inside the confines of the operating room.

“I became restless a few minutes later. A woman who spoke to me in Hausa tried to calm me down but it was impossible. I felt like attending nature’s call.”

The lack of consistent communication regarding the situation only heightened the parents' apprehension and gave rise to various speculations about the baby's condition. Despite being instructed to obtain a hospital attendance card in preparation for the baby's admission, the couple soon witnessed the arrival of an ambulance a few minutes later, indicating a sudden change in plans. It became apparent that the baby would be transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for additional medical care.

Finally, the time arrived when the medical team had to deliver the devastating news of the baby's passing to the grieving parents. The delicate task of informing Mohammed Jamal and Halimatu Adams about the heartbreaking loss of their child was at hand. The weight of the imminent disclosure hung heavily in the air, as the medical professionals braced themselves to convey the unimaginable tragedy that had befallen the young family.

“I didn’t allow the doctor to finish what he was saying…I told him I think my child was dead…I felt something bad had happened to my son,” Halimatu recounted to JoyNews.

Parent’s nightmarish experience of being denied a male child

Jamals are traumatised

The thought of losing their only male child under bizarre circumstances has left the couple traumatized.

“The feeling or the pain that you go through; unless you experience it because it’s something you cannot even express,” says Mr. Jamal.

Beyond the trauma, the parents would have to endure the nightmarish experience of the cry of their baby echoing in their minds every now and then, especially at night.

“The psychological pains, the trauma that you go through in the night when you hear the cry of the baby,” Mr, Jamal has opened up.

Jamals take solace in video and pictures of late baby

For the Jamals, being devout Muslims, the birth of a male child is not only seen as a privilege but also an esteemed honor bestowed upon them by Almighty Allah. This sentiment holds particular significance for Mrs. Jamal, who had fervently wished to have exclusively male children.

While the couple had already been blessed with a two-year-old daughter during their three-year marriage, the longing for a male child had persisted within the Jamals' hearts.

However, their joyous anticipation has now been abruptly shattered, plunging them into a profound state of sorrow and disbelief. Mr. Jamal, burdened with the additional responsibility of comforting his grieving wife, finds himself grappling with the unimaginable tragedy that has befallen their family.

In this deeply distressing and bewildering situation, the couple is left to navigate the complex emotions and grief that accompany the loss of their beloved baby boy. Their aspirations and hopes for a son have been cruelly dashed, leaving them to reconcile with the harsh reality of their circumstances.

“Any night, when you hear the cry of the child, you can’t do anything. You can’t focus.”

The couple has been reduced to watching videos and pictures of their son on their phones on a daily basis.

Authorities at the KNUST Hospital have declined comments on the matter.

The University Relations Officer says the matter has been referred to the legal department for settlement.

But a patient-centred non-governmental group is leading a campaign to bring justice to the Jamals.

The Advocacy for Medical Malpractice Victims says it can establish a prima facie case against the KNUST Hospital.

“From all indications, the hospital was negligent in the conduct of the circumcision,” Kwame Brobbey Appiah the Executive Secretary said.

“We believe strongly that we would be happy to establish a prima facie case,” he added.

Checks at the Health Ministry indicate that medico-legal cases are on the rise in the country.

In recent times, at least two medico-legal cases are received every week, a development which has left Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang Manu, worried.

“What I am seeing of late at the ministry is the issue of litigation. For the past four weeks or so, almost every week, we get at least one letter from the Attorney-General’s office.

“Somebody has sued somebody with problems with care, service delivery and they want us to come with information to go to court with.”

That was a concern the minister raised at this year’s senior managers meeting of the Ghana Health Service in Kumasi recently.