The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has issued an update on the victims of last Wednesday’s stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium, reporting encouraging improvements in the condition of those who sustained critical injuries. The tragic incident, which occurred during the ongoing military recruitment exercise, has so far resulted in six fatalities.
According to Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, Acting Director-General of the Department of Public Relations, three of the five individuals initially admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) have shown marked recovery and have been moved to a general ward. Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Monday, November 17, Captain Arhin disclosed that 29 victims were admitted to the hospital on the day of the incident. She noted that medical personnel have been working tirelessly to stabilise the injured and prevent further loss of life.
“The injured are doing well, they are at the hospital, and they are receiving the best of care. On the day of the incident, we had five people in the ICU. As we speak, three of them are doing well and they have been moved to another ward,” she said. She further disclosed that while some of the injured have been treated and discharged, 16 individuals remain on admission, receiving continuous care and monitoring.
“On the day of the incident, 29 people were brought to the hospital. As we speak now, we have about 16 currently there. Others are all receiving care, some have been discharged, and they have gone home, and they are getting the best of care. We are praying that we do not lose another life, so we are giving them all the best that we can,” she added.
In a move aimed at easing the financial burden on families, Captain Arhin confirmed that 37 Military Hospital is covering the full medical cost of all victims of the stampede, with support from the government. “37 Hospital is taking the full bill of anybody that comes there with any form of accident related to the stampede, and for that matter, the government,” she assured.
The stampede occurred after thousands of young Ghanaians surged into the El-Wak Sports Stadium in an attempt to take part in the military recruitment process on Wednesday, November 12. The massive crowd and intense struggle at entry points led to chaos, resulting in multiple injuries and fatalities.
Source: Patricia Boakye
