The Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has disclosed that the baby stolen from Mamprobi Polyclinic was diagnosed with jaundice and an infection of the umbilical cord.
She made this known during a visit to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where the infant is currently receiving treatment.
The Minister assured that the baby has responded well to treatment and will return for further medical review after discharge. She also reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to providing psychological support for the baby’s mother as part of ongoing assistance efforts.
“I was informed that the baby had a bit of jaundice when he came, and also, there was an infection around the umbilical cord because it had not been taken care of during the period he was with the suspect”, she said.
The baby was stolen from the postnatal ward of Mamprobi Hospital on Tuesday, February 17, without the knowledge of the mother and health workers.
Investigations led to the arrest of 33-year-old Latifa Salifu, a cloth seller in Accra, at the premises of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where she was found with a baby suspected to be the missing child.
The suspect claimed she had delivered at the hospital and was discharged due to a lack of care. However, police investigations found no records to support her claim.
She has since been remanded into police custody for 14 days by an Accra High Court as investigations continue. She is expected to reappear before the court on March 4, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has directed the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service to ensure the immediate enforcement of strict, round-the-clock security measures across all public health facilities nationwide. Health facility administrators have also been instructed to review and strengthen their internal security protocols following the incident.
Source: Citi Newsroom
