The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has defended the management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) over the recent congestion at its Accident and Emergency (A&E) Centre, insisting that no emergency patients were turned away despite temporary restrictions on admissions.
The clarification follows public concern after KATH announced on June 2 that its A&E Centre had become overstretched and could not receive additional emergency cases for about 24 hours, directing patients to nearby health facilities.
According to the hospital, the centre, designed to accommodate 37 beds, was at the time managing 61 patients across its red, yellow and orange zones, with an additional 34 patients awaiting care. Management said the temporary measure was necessary to protect critically ill patients and allow staff to clear a growing backlog.
In a statement issued on June 4, the GMA said engagements with KATH management and staff indicated that emergency patients continued to receive care throughout the period and were not denied treatment.
The Association explained that the temporary measures were intended to redistribute some patients to peripheral health facilities while ensuring patient safety and maintaining quality care for those already admitted.
KATH has since resumed operations at its A&E Centre, with the GMA noting that conditions at the facility have improved significantly following interventions coordinated by the Regional Health Directorate.
While supporting the actions taken by hospital management, the Association warned that the incident reflects deeper challenges confronting Ghana’s emergency healthcare system.
“The incident highlights broader systemic issues confronting emergency care delivery in Ghana,” the statement said.
The GMA called for sustained investment in emergency medicine infrastructure, expansion of emergency care facilities at all levels of the health system, and the deployment of specialised personnel to reduce pressure on referral hospitals.
The Association also expressed concern over a query letter reportedly issued by the Ministry of Health to KATH’s Chief Executive Officer, arguing that the communication risked creating a negative public perception of the hospital at a time when health workers were responding to an unprecedented surge in patients.
According to the GMA, addressing recurring congestion at major referral hospitals will require strengthening district-level facilities, improving ambulance and referral systems, and increasing investment in emergency healthcare infrastructure nationwide.
