The government of Ghana has initiated a pilot project to track emergency beds in real-time across selected hospitals. The project, led by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, aims to improve the management of scarce emergency care resources and address the persistent "no bed" challenge. A command centre has been established at the Ridge Hospital to monitor the availability of emergency beds. The system provides the minister with direct visibility of the situation at participating facilities.
The real-time electronic system allows authorities to monitor how long patients remain in emergency beds. The pilot project currently covers selected regional hospitals and teaching hospitals. According to the minister, the system will enable him to track the number of beds occupied in emergency units and the length of stay for patients. This information will help identify cases where patients remain in emergency beds for extended periods.
The system has been equipped with screens in the minister's office and the command centre, allowing for real-time monitoring. The minister confirmed that a screen is physically located in his office, providing him with direct access to the information. The system will not add more beds immediately but will help manage existing resources more efficiently. The technology will ensure that patients are not occupying emergency beds for extended periods.
The government is also pursuing physical expansion of emergency facilities at several major hospitals, including Komfo Anokye, Tamale, Korle Bu, and the 37 Military Hospital. At Korle Bu, the emergency unit currently has about 67 beds, despite the hospital having over 1,000 beds in total. A major expansion is being undertaken as part of a wider redevelopment project, which includes the construction of a 400-bed facility.
To support the tracking system, beds in participating facilities have been fitted with barcodes. Commanders at each facility are responsible for updating the data in real-time. The ambulance services are also being integrated into the system, allowing them to identify available beds when transporting patients. Over 200 ambulances are currently operational, and the government plans to add 100 new ambulances to the fleet in 2027.
The minister emphasized that the technology is not intended to create additional beds immediately but to ensure existing beds are used more efficiently. The system will enable authorities to question cases where patients remain in emergency beds for extended periods. The command centre will play a crucial role in monitoring the situation and making data-driven decisions.
The government has made significant progress in restoring the ambulance fleet and plans to continue investing in the healthcare sector. The real-time emergency bed tracking system is a significant step towards improving emergency care services in Ghana. Key aspects of the project include the establishment of a command centre, the use of barcode technology, and the integration of ambulance services.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has launched a pilot project to track emergency beds in real-time across selected hospitals.
- The system aims to improve the management of scarce emergency care resources and address the persistent "no bed" challenge.
- The government plans to add 100 new ambulances to the national fleet in 2027.
