President Mahama announces measures to tackle no-bed syndrome

President John Dramani Mahama has announced a comprehensive package of interventions to address the persistent no-bed syndrome in Ghana’s hospitals, with a focus on expanding emergency care capacity, improving patient referrals and strengthening the deployment of health professionals.

Addressing the 68th Annual General Conference of the Ghana Medical Association, the President said government was adopting a broader approach to emergency healthcare, insisting that no patient in a critical condition should be turned away without assessment and appropriate assistance.

NO-BED SYNDROME – A BROADER EMERGENCY RESPONSE

The President says the no-bed syndrome goes beyond the physical availability of hospital beds, stressing that effective emergency care requires trained medical personnel, functional equipment, oxygen and essential medical supplies.

He says government’s response will therefore address the entire emergency healthcare pathway, from the initial call for assistance and admission to treatment, referral and safe discharge.

DIGITAL BED MANAGEMENT AND REFERRAL SYSTEM

A major component of the intervention is the Integrated Bed Management and Referral Coordination System, piloted by the Ministry of Health to enable hospitals and ambulance teams to identify facilities with available capacity and coordinate the transfer of emergency patients.

The pilot programme involves 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.

President Mahama says the digital system will improve coordination among health facilities and help reduce delays in locating hospitals capable of receiving patients.

Government is targeting an expansion of emergency bed capacity in major hospitals to at least 10 per cent of their functional bed capacity.

At Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, for instance, the President says the current 65 emergency beds will be increased to at least 150. Similar expansion works will be undertaken at Komfo Anokye, Tamale Teaching Hospital and the 37 Military Hospital, beginning next year.

The expansion will also be supported with the necessary medical personnel, equipment, oxygen and essential supplies to ensure the additional beds are fully operational.

GHANA ARMED FORCES EMERGENCY HOSPITAL OPENS TO THE PUBLIC

In the interim, the Ghana Armed Forces Critical Care and Emergency Hospital is being opened to the public to provide additional capacity for managing emergency cases.

President Mahama says the facility, which begins receiving patients today, will strengthen cooperation between military and civilian health services and help ease pressure on existing emergency facilities.

NO EMERGENCY PATIENT SHOULD BE TURNED AWAY

He has also reiterated his directive that no health facility should turn away a patient in a critical condition simply because there is no available bed.

The President says hospitals must, at the very least, assess emergency patients and provide stabilisation within their capacity before arranging referrals to facilities equipped to provide definitive treatment.

He further called for improved coordination and communication throughout the referral process, stressing that families must not be left to navigate the healthcare system on their own during medical emergencies.

President Mahama says government is also improving emergency services within hospitals through measures such as 24-hour outpatient laboratory and diagnostic services at teaching hospitals to facilitate timely investigations and clinical decisions.

The President urged the Ghana Medical Association to continue providing professional advice and practical recommendations to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery and ensure that the ongoing reforms translate into better patient outcomes.

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