Korle Bu struggling to cope with rising emergency cases – Accident & Emergency head

Dr Henry Bulley, head of the Accident and Emergency Department at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, has warned that Ghana's healthcare system is struggling to cope with the rapid increase in emergency cases. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Dr Bulley highlighted that the expanding population has outpaced the growth of health infrastructure, placing immense strain on the country's largest referral hospitals.

The growing demand for emergency services has overwhelmed existing facilities, medical equipment, and healthcare personnel, making it challenging to provide timely care. Dr Bulley noted that Korle Bu has become a go-to center for patients from across Ghana due to its expert specialists and relatively affordable treatment. "When Korle Bu was established, Ghana's population was under six million," he explained.

"Now, we have over 30 million people, yet the hospital itself has not been expanded." Many patients are transferred to Korle Bu from other public and tertiary facilities due to the need for specialized treatment or financial constraints. Dr Bulley expressed concern that these patients often spend extended periods in the Emergency Department, even after being stabilized at other hospitals, instead of being admitted directly to specialist wards.

This congestion leads to critically ill patients remaining in the Emergency Department for longer periods. He urged for more investment in expanding hospital infrastructure, increasing bed capacity, and hiring additional healthcare professionals to meet the demands of Ghana's growing population. Dr Bulley pointed out that there are instances where nurses are idle yet overwhelmed with patient care due to a lack of financial clearance, an issue that policymakers must address.

He also suggested that strengthening district and regional hospitals could alleviate the pressure on Korle Bu by providing more patients access to quality healthcare in their localities.