SONA: Government Takes Steps to End No-Bed Syndrome — Mahama Assures Emergency Care for All Patients

President John Dramani Mahama has announced decisive measures to eliminate the long-standing “no-bed syndrome” in Ghana’s health facilities, emphasizing that no patient in need of emergency medical care should be turned away from any health facility.

Speaking during the State of the Nation Address, President Mahama stressed that the Ministry of Health will soon issue new operational guidelines to ensure that patients in emergency situations receive immediate care, even under makeshift or temporary conditions.

“You don’t need to have a comfortable bed to save a patient. No patient must be turned away from any health facility they report to,” President Mahama stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to saving lives while health infrastructure capacity is being expanded.

To address the challenge sustainably, the government outlined several ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at increasing hospital bed capacity across the country. President Mahama announced the implementation of Phase 2 of the Ridge Hospital project to expand bed capacity at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital.

“We are investing heavily in expanding healthcare infrastructure to ensure that our hospitals can meet the growing demand for quality healthcare services,” he added.

The President also confirmed that several major hospital projects will be completed to improve healthcare delivery nationwide. These include the completion of the Police Hospital project and the La General Hospital project in the Greater Accra Region.

In the Ashanti Region, President Mahama said the government remains committed to strengthening tertiary and regional healthcare delivery. “We will complete the Sewa Regional Hospital. We will complete the Afari Military Hospital. And we will complete the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Maternity and Children’s Block,” he assured.

According to the President, the infrastructure expansion is part of a broader health reform agenda aimed at improving access to quality healthcare while reducing the pressure on major referral hospitals.

Health policy analysts have often identified the no-bed syndrome as a critical challenge contributing to preventable deaths in the country’s health system. The new policy guidelines are expected to improve emergency response protocols and ensure better coordination between health facilities.

President Mahama reaffirmed that improving healthcare access remains a top priority of his administration, adding that the government will continue to invest in both human resources and health infrastructure to strengthen Ghana’s health system.