The untimely passing of 17-year-old Patience Amanyi, a student at St Monica's Senior High School in the Ashanti Region, has been partially attributed to the school management's negligence. Amanyi fell ill but reportedly received inadequate attention from the housemistress responsible for her care, relying instead on fellow students for assistance.
Amanyi was eventually taken to Mampong Hospital by her peers when her condition deteriorated, where she passed away the same day. Her family is seeking further information about her death, suspecting that negligence by the school management may have played a role.
A preliminary investigation by the school's board revealed that the headmistress was unaware of events in the dormitories and had inadequate communication with housemistresses. The board proposed various improvements, such as reshuffling housemistresses, keeping better records, and conducting regular meetings with students.
A report from the headmistress was dismissed due to inconsistencies and inaccuracies. Amanyi had previously visited the Mampong General Hospital for a headache and received treatment for malaria and paracetamol. However, her condition worsened, and she was not granted permission to return to the hospital. A teacher eventually urged her to seek medical help.
A housemistress provided Amanyi with an exeat for her visit to the hospital but did not accompany her. The student's condition was severe, and she was declared dead at 9:30 pm. The doctor's diagnosis included hypoglycemia, acute infective gastroenteritis, severe dehydration, shock, and cerebral malaria with focal seizures.
It was only then that the school authorities informed Amanyi's family. The school board and old students association attempted to interview students who accompanied Amanyi to the hospital, but the management could not account for their whereabouts. Amanyi has since been laid to rest.
