The Ghana Medical Association has called for the immediate introduction of a digitised in-hospital bed management system to address congestion at the Accident and Emergency Centre of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, following viral footage showing patients receiving care on chairs and on the floor.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, March 24, the Association said the incident reflects a broader systemic challenge across health facilities, particularly during periods of patient surges when limited space and resources force health workers to improvise. It noted that such situations pose significant risks to patient safety and quality of care.
The GMA argued that a digital bed management system, coupled with a clear surge response plan, would help hospitals better allocate resources and respond effectively during peak periods.
According to the Association, recent administrative directives may have contributed to increased patient admissions at the facility, exceeding its operational capacity. It warned that decisions taken without a comprehensive assessment could worsen congestion and strain already limited resources.
The GMA further emphasised the need for a coordinated approach within the health sector, including the timely transfer of patients from emergency units to appropriate departments to free up space for critical cases.
It also called on the Ministry of Health to strengthen collaboration among public, mission, and private health facilities to ensure that emergency cases are distributed more efficiently across the system.
The Association maintains that without urgent systemic reforms, similar incidents are likely to recur, underscoring the need for sustainable solutions to ease pressure on major referral hospitals.
![John Setor Dumelo, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture [in white attire], with other participants](https://www.citinewsroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AFRI-350x250.png)
