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The Korle-Bu Doctors Association (KODA) has raised serious concerns over worsening conditions at the Accident and Emergency Centre of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, citing severe overcrowding and the persistent “no bed syndrome” as major threats to patient care and staff safety.
In a press statement dated March 23, 2026, the association said recent administrative directives have led to a surge in patient admissions that far exceed the facility’s capacity in terms of space and available personnel.
KODA noted that although doctors remain committed to the policy of not turning away emergency patients, the increasing number of cases has forced healthcare workers to treat patients in hallways, on chairs, and even on the floor—conditions they described as unsafe and unsustainable.
According to the association, the overcrowding situation is compromising infection control measures, delaying critical interventions, and increasing the likelihood of medical errors. It further warned that such conditions expose doctors to serious medico-legal risks, especially when adverse outcomes occur in substandard treatment environments.
The group also highlighted the physical and mental toll on healthcare workers, pointing to rising levels of burnout and occupational hazards, including long-term spinal injuries from attending to patients in awkward positions.
KODA addressed a recent visit by the Minister of Health to the facility, which followed a viral video showing patients being treated in chairs and on the floor. The association argued that the conditions observed during the minister’s visit did not reflect the everyday reality at the emergency centre.
“It is normal practice to prepare ahead of such visits to present a more orderly environment,” the statement explained, adding that acknowledging the true situation is essential to finding lasting solutions.
The association stressed that the “no bed syndrome” goes beyond physical bed shortages, noting that even an increase in beds would not solve the problem without adequate staffing. It also blamed weak referral systems, stating that many lower-level health facilities lack the capacity to manage cases, thereby placing excessive pressure on Korle-Bu.
KODA called on hospital management, the Ministry of Health, and the Ghana Health Service to urgently review referral linkages, improve resource allocation, and provide legal protection for staff working under difficult conditions.
The association further urged its members to strictly adhere to professional protocols, including detailed documentation of care conditions and formal reporting of resource shortages.
While acknowledging efforts by authorities to provide temporary relief, KODA emphasized the need for long-term, systemic reforms to address the crisis.
“We must move from crisis management to systemic correction,” the statement said, warning that failure to act decisively could lead to preventable deaths.
Yaw Boagyan
