John Dramani Mahama has directed all health facilities across the country to immediately stop rejecting emergency patients, declaring that no one in critical condition should be denied care due to a lack of beds.
The President’s firm stance follows the reported death of 29-year-old Charles Amissah, who was allegedly turned away by three major hospitals in Accra while seeking urgent medical attention.
In a national address on Friday, February 27, President Mahama described the so-called “no bed” syndrome as unacceptable and instructed the Ministry of Health to issue clear guidelines to eliminate the practice. He stressed that emergency medical intervention must take priority over logistical constraints.
“You do not need to have a comfortable bed to save a patient. No patient must be turned away from any health facility they report to,” he stated.
Beyond the directive, the President unveiled broader reforms aimed at expanding access to healthcare. He announced that government will fully roll out a free primary healthcare programme this year to remove cost barriers at the entry level of the health system, while intensifying prevention, screening, and health promotion efforts — particularly for non-communicable diseases.
He also revealed plans to scale up the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and expand access to advanced cardiac services, including catheterisation procedures, at Tamale Teaching Hospital, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. The move, he said, is intended to reduce overseas medical referrals and strengthen Ghana’s position as a regional hub for specialised care.
To address infrastructure constraints, President Mahama further announced Phase Two of the Ridge Hospital project, which will increase bed capacity and enhance service delivery at the facility.
The measures, he indicated, form part of a comprehensive strategy to improve healthcare access, build system resilience, and restore public confidence in the country’s health institutions.
