NMC to summon nurse over alleged TikTok livestream of distressed pregnant patient

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is set to summon a nurse next week following a TikTok livestream that allegedly depicted a pregnant patient in distress. The incident has sparked concerns over patient confidentiality, professional ethics, and the protection of vulnerable individuals receiving medical care. The Ministry of Health was notified about the matter after a social media user expressed concerns about the livestream.

Tony Goodman, the Ministry's Public Relations Officer, announced the Council's plans in a Facebook post on Friday, October 6, indicating the nurse's expected appearance for further discussions. According to Dickson Assan, a Facebook user who reported the incident to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), he stumbled upon the TikTok Live session early one morning and found it distressing.

Assan claimed that the person who hosted the livestream, seemingly a nurse, was broadcasting a pregnant patient who appeared to be in significant distress. The host was seen rubbing the patient's back, apparently trying to comfort her, while some viewers made inappropriate remarks and ridiculed the situation. Assan further alleged that when a viewer questioned the decision to broadcast the patient's condition, the host was insulted by other participants.

Additionally, Assan stated that the host displayed a Mobile Money (MoMo) number during the livestream and solicited financial contributions while the patient was in distress. The Facebook user questioned the professional judgment of a healthcare worker in exposing a vulnerable patient's condition on social media instead of safeguarding her privacy and dignity.