President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Ghana, with a renewed focus on tackling the persistent No-Bed Syndrome, expanding emergency care and ensuring patients receive timely medical attention.

Speaking at the 68th Annual General Conference of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), President Mahama outlined a number of interventions aimed at strengthening emergency healthcare services and improving access to treatment across the country.

A major part of the government’s plan is the introduction of an Integrated Bed Management and Referral Coordination System. The digital platform is being piloted to help hospitals and ambulance teams identify health facilities with available capacity and coordinate the transfer of emergency patients.

The system involves major health facilities, including Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital at Ridge, the 37 Military Hospital, the University of Ghana Medical Centre and the National Ambulance Service.

Emergency Departments to Be Expanded

President Mahama also announced plans to expand the Accident and Emergency Departments of four major hospitals from 2027.

The facilities are Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital and the 37 Military Hospital.

Under the plan, emergency beds should account for at least 10 per cent of each hospital’s functional bed capacity.

At Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, for example, the target would increase the current emergency bed capacity from 65 to at least 150 beds.

The President said the expansion would be supported with additional healthcare professionals, medical equipment, oxygen and essential supplies to ensure the facilities can operate effectively.

Military Hospital Opens to the Public

As part of efforts to increase emergency care capacity, the Ghana Armed Forces Critical Care and Emergency Hospital has been opened to members of the public.

The facility is expected to help manage pressure on civilian hospitals, particularly during periods when emergency departments experience high demand.

President Mahama also stressed that hospitals must not simply turn away patients who arrive in critical condition because of a shortage of beds.

He said patients must first be assessed and stabilised within the facility’s capacity before arrangements are made for transfer to another hospital where necessary.

Broader Healthcare Investments

Beyond emergency care, the President highlighted other government interventions aimed at strengthening the health sector.

These include increased recruitment and equitable deployment of health professionals, improved conditions of service, the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, the uncapped National Health Insurance Scheme and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to working with the Ghana Medical Association and other stakeholders to build a healthcare system that is accessible, responsive and focused on patients.

The announced measures form part of the government’s wider efforts to address challenges facing emergency healthcare delivery and reduce delays in accessing treatment.

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