Akandoh Introduces Digital Bed Tracking as Government Plans Emergency Expansion at Major Hospitals

According to a report by ChannelOne News published on October 20, 2026, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has announced plans to expand emergency care facilities at major hospitals while introducing a digital bed-monitoring system to help address Ghana’s persistent “no bed syndrome”.

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh made the announcement during a working visit to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, where he received a demonstration of the electronic system designed to provide real-time information on bed availability across participating health facilities.

The system is expected to help health authorities identify hospitals with available emergency beds before ambulances transport patients. It will also allow officials to monitor how long patients remain in emergency units and investigate cases where patients experience prolonged delays.

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh explained that the problem is not always a complete absence of beds but sometimes a lack of reliable information about available capacity at different hospitals.

He stressed, however, that the digital system would not immediately create additional physical beds. Instead, it is intended to improve coordination, reduce unnecessary delays and make better use of existing resources.

The minister also announced plans to expand emergency facilities at major hospitals, including Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ridge Hospital and the 37 Military Hospital.

At Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the government is pursuing a broader redevelopment project that includes a new 400-bed facility. The expansion is intended to increase capacity and improve access to emergency and specialised medical services.

The digital initiative will also involve collaboration with the National Ambulance Service to improve referrals and ensure that patients are transported to appropriate facilities with available beds.

The government expects the system to be extended beyond the initial participating hospitals after the pilot phase. Regional hospitals are expected to be included before a wider rollout to district hospitals.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve Ghana’s emergency healthcare system through technology, infrastructure expansion and better coordination between hospitals and ambulance services.

If implemented effectively, the measures could help reduce delays in emergency referrals and improve patients’ chances of receiving timely medical attention. However, their impact will also depend on adequate staffing, sufficient beds and reliable updates from participating hospitals.

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