By Stephandy Kyeraah
Accra, Aug. 9, GNA – Dr Henry Bulley, Head of Accident and Emergency at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, has called for mental health specialists in emergency trauma units.
He said psychological trauma suffered by road crash victims and their relatives was often overlooked while medical teams focused on stabilising physical injuries.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Dr Bulley said road crashes could inflict sudden, life-altering emotional trauma through limb amputations, facial disfigurement and the loss of family breadwinners.
“A trauma patient is not just dealing with broken bones; they are grappling with intense fear, anxiety over lost livelihoods, and social stigma.
“Having dedicated mental health specialists permanently stationed in emergency wards ensures that psychological first aid begins the moment a victim is stabilised,” he said.
Dr Bulley said early psychological intervention could help reduce the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe depression and emotional distress among survivors during recovery.
He said the emotional burden also affected healthcare professionals working in high-pressure emergency settings, making on-site psychological support important for staff well-being and institutional resilience.
Dr Bulley said road crash admissions at Korle Bu had increased from 384 in mid-2023 to 553 during the corresponding period in 2024.
The increase, he said, had also raised daily attendance at the department from about 60 to nearly 100 patients, placing additional pressure on available resources and personnel.
Despite improved survival rates resulting from specialised emergency training and refined treatment protocols, Dr Bulley called for broader institutional reforms to strengthen emergency care delivery.
He appealed for dedicated emergency funding, expanded infrastructure and increased investment in mental health services to support the recovery of trauma patients.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Stephandy Kyeraah
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