Patient sues hospital over CCTV in breast exam rooms, cites privacy breach
By DL News
Published
1 min read
In a legal action initiated at the High Court, Amoakowaa is asking for the enforcement of her fundamental human rights, claiming that the presence of surveillance equipment in these private medical spaces infringes on her rights to privacy,...
A Ghanaian woman, Gifty Amoakowaa, has filed a lawsuit against Peace and Love Hospital, accusing the facility of violating her constitutional rights by installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in rooms used for intimate medical consultations and physical breast examinations.
In a legal action initiated at the High Court, Amoakowaa is asking for the enforcement of her fundamental human rights, claiming that the presence of surveillance equipment in these private medical spaces infringes on her rights to privacy, dignity, and the confidentiality traditionally afforded in doctor-patient relationships.
Constitutional and Statutory Claims
The lawsuit challenges the hospital's use of surveillance in examination rooms, arguing that it contravenes Articles 15 and 18(2) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which protect the dignity of the individual and the right to privacy. Additionally, the patient invokes provisions of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), particularly Section 167 and the Sixth Schedule (Patients' Charter), which uphold the confidentiality of patient information.
Amoakowaa contends that the monitoring practice not only breaches legal protections but has also caused her considerable emotional harm. She describes enduring psychological trauma and persistent anxiety as a result of what she considers a deeply invasive and unjustified policy.
Court Reliefs Sought
Through her application, the plaintiff is asking the court to:
Declare the use of CCTV cameras in breast examination rooms as unconstitutional and unlawful;
Order the immediate removal of such cameras from all examination and consultation rooms across the hospital’s branches;
Direct the hospital to destroy any video recordings involving her and prohibit further storage or use of such footage;
Award general damages for emotional and psychological suffering;
Grant costs associated with bringing the legal action.
The court filing notes that the application is supported by an affidavit detailing the grounds for relief and affirms the applicant’s intent to pursue any further directives the court considers just.
