Winfred Kwabla Dogbey, a 52-year-old man from Ghana, has been given permission to stay in the UK because of his poor health, which got worse after he caught Covid-19. He told the court that he’s too scared to return to Ghana, his home country, because he believes he won’t get the medical care he needs there. He explained that the effects of Covid on his body and mind were so serious that going back would put his life and mental health at risk.
Winfred first came to the UK in April 2013 on a visa. A few years later, in June 2016, he applied for asylum, asking to stay in the country for his safety and well-being. His request was refused at first, but he didn’t give up. Over the years, he continued to send more information and tried again and again to make a case for staying in the UK.
Things changed in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Winfred caught the virus and became extremely sick. He had to be taken to hospital, where doctors said he had suffered multiple organ failure, which means several of his body’s organs stopped working properly. It was a life-threatening situation. After he recovered from the worst of the illness, he was left with long-term health problems, including what doctors called “post Covid-19 syndrome.” This means even though the virus was gone, his body was still affected in painful and tiring ways. He also developed PTSD, a serious mental health condition that causes fear, anxiety, and emotional pain due to past trauma. On top of that, he struggled with moderate depression.
Doctors in the UK said Winfred’s condition was serious and ongoing. They explained that he needed proper care and support to manage both his physical and mental health. He was part of a rehabilitation program in the UK, which helped people recover from long-term Covid symptoms. Experts told the court that this kind of care doesn’t really exist in Ghana. They said the medical and psychiatric services in Ghana were very limited and wouldn’t be able to give him the help he needs.
The court looked at the kind of treatment available in Ghana and found it would not be good enough for someone like Winfred. They said mental health services there were not only weak, but people with serious conditions are often sent to psychiatric hospitals or religious prayer camps. In some of these places, people are treated badly, sometimes even abused. The judges believed that if Winfred was sent back, it would cause his mental health to get much worse very quickly.
The tribunal decided that forcing him to return to Ghana would go against his human rights. They referred to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects people from torture, cruel treatment, and inhuman or degrading treatment. In Winfred’s case, they believed he would suffer greatly and unnecessarily if he was sent back.
Judge Khan and Deputy Judge Gill reviewed all the medical reports, expert opinions, and Winfred’s personal story. They said they were fully convinced that his health problems were real and serious. They said Winfred was still very sick and that his conditions had not improved enough for him to return safely to Ghana. Based on everything they heard, the judges decided he should be allowed to stay in the UK where he can continue receiving the care and support he needs.
This decision means Winfred no longer has to live in fear of being deported. He can now focus on his health and rebuilding his life in a place where he feels safe and supported.
