No-Bed Syndrome: Mahama orders bigger emergency units at four major hospitals

President John Mahama has announced plans to expand the accident and emergency (A&E) centers at four major hospitals across Ghana. The initiative, set to commence next year, will focus on Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, and the 37 Military Hospital. These hospitals were chosen due to their high demand for A&E services.

The government's objective is to boost emergency bed capacity to at least 10% of each facility's functional bed capacity. This expansion would require increasing A&E beds, with Korle Bu Teaching Hospital serving as an example. Currently, it has 1,500 functional beds, but only 65 A&E beds. Doubling Korle Bu's A&E bed capacity from 65 to at least 150 beds would meet the proposed 10% target.

The expansion will not only add more beds but also provide the necessary human resources, equipment, oxygen, and essential supplies to ensure the newly created capacity is fully operational. Additionally, an Integrated Bed Management and Referral Coordination System (IBMRC) will be piloted through the Ministry of Health. The digital platform will enable hospitals and ambulance teams to identify facilities with available capacity, thus facilitating patient transfers.

The Ghana Armed Forces Critical Care and Emergency Hospital will also become accessible to the public, providing additional emergency capacity. The President stated that the facility will start accepting patients immediately. Closer collaboration between military and civilian health services is expected to optimize the country's healthcare resources.

President Mahama emphasized that healthcare facilities should not reject patients in critical condition due to a lack of available beds. Instead, they must assess the patient, provide stabilization within their capabilities, and coordinate a safe transfer to a suitable facility. He stressed the importance of families receiving clear guidance throughout the referral process, ensuring they are not left to navigate the fragmented healthcare system alone.