By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, Nov. 6, GNA -Professor Ernest Yorke, President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), has called for an “Emergency Care Act” to strengthen access to life-saving treatment and address the persistent “No Bed Syndrome.” in public health facilities.
He said the proposed legislation would establish minimum standards for emergency care delivery, improve referral systems and provide a clear framework for financing emergency health services across the country.
Prof. Yorke made the call at the 68th Annual General Conference of the Ghana Medical Association in Accra, held on the theme: “The No Bed Syndrome: Reimagining a Befitting Emergency Response System for Ghana.”
He said the phrase, “there is no bed” is one of the most painful responses patients and families could receive in times of medical distress.
Prof. Yorke noted that such situations often leave relatives scrambling from one facility to another in search of elusive care.
According to him, the challenge extends beyond the availability of beds and reflects weaknesses in emergency response systems, patient referrals, communication and healthcare infrastructure.
The GMA President said patients experiencing medical emergencies should be guaranteed prompt assessment and treatment within the capabilities of a facility, with seamless transfers where additional care is required.
He stressed that referral decisions should involve direct communication between healthcare teams rather than placing the burden on relatives to navigate the healthcare system.
The proposed Emergency Care Act, he explained, would safeguard patients’ access to emergency services, establish standards for staffing, equipment and service delivery, and provide real-time information on levels of care available at health facilities.
The legislation would also provide a clear basis for funding emergency health services and help identify critical gaps requiring investment and policy attention, he said.
Health policy experts have long argued that Ghana’s efforts to tackle the ‘No Bed Syndrome’ require more than additional hospital beds.
They pointed to countries such as South Africa and Kenya where legal guarantees for emergency treatment provide a framework for timely access to care and clearer accountability within the health system.
Prof. Yorke also highlighted shortages of emergency physicians, nurses and emergency medical technicians, calling for increased training and better working conditions to support frontline health workers.
He pledged the association’s readiness to provide technical support towards the development and implementation of the law.
Ghana continues to grapple with periodic reports of patients being turned away from hospitals because of a lack of bed space, overcrowded emergency units and limited resources.
The “No Bed Syndrome” gained national attention following several incidents in which critically ill patients reportedly struggled to secure admission at health facilities.
The challenge has since become a symbol of broader constraints within Ghana’s healthcare system, including inadequate bed capacity, delayed referrals, overcrowded emergency departments and shortages of specialised personnel.
Efforts by stakeholders have increasingly focused on strengthening emergency care systems and improving coordination among health facilities nationwide.
GNA
Reporter: Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Email: [email protected]
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong