John Mahama orders emergency bed expansion at four major hospitals

President John Dramani Mahama has directed an immediate expansion of emergency bed capacities at four of Ghana’s largest referral hospitals to combat the persistent "no-bed syndrome." The directive targets Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the 37 Military Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and Tamale Teaching Hospital. Under the new initiative, each facility’s emergency unit will be expanded to represent at least 10% of its total functional bed capacity, ensuring that patients seeking urgent care are no longer turned away due to a lack of space.

At the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the Accident and Emergency (A&E) ward is set to more than double in size, growing from its current 65-bed capacity to at least 150 beds. To support this infrastructure, the President announced the recruitment of 16,000 additional health workers and the procurement of 100 new ambulances for the National Ambulance Service. The expansion project, which is expected to begin implementation through 2027, will be accompanied by the deployment of modern medical equipment, oxygen supplies, and other essential consumables to ensure the additional beds are fully operational.

Beyond physical beds, the government is introducing the Integrated Bed Management and Referral Coordination System. This digital platform is designed to improve the coordination of patient transfers between facilities, providing real-time data on bed availability to prevent the hazardous practice of shuttling critically ill patients between full hospitals. These health sector interventions are supported by a projected 2026 Ministry of Health budget of approximately GH₵22.8 billion, reflecting the administration's focus on critical care infrastructure.

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Medical Superintendents Group have welcomed the focus on emergency care but stressed that ending the "no-bed syndrome" requires more than just additional furniture. During the GMA’s 68th Annual General Conference, stakeholders emphasized the need for sustainable financing, improved pre-hospital care, and robust public-private partnerships. The President’s initiative aims to address these systemic concerns by integrating better referral logistics with increased hospital capacity to ensure that no Ghanaian loses their life due to a lack of immediate medical resources.