The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called for reforms to Ghana's emergency healthcare system, including the nationwide expansion of the electronic hospital bed management system. This move aims to address the persistent problem of patients being turned away from hospitals due to a lack of available beds. The Association believes that the current pilot of the electronic bed management system must be extended to all health facilities.
The GMA also wants the government to introduce a sustainable financing arrangement for emergency healthcare, expand hospital bed capacity, strengthen ambulance services, and equip district hospitals to improve access to timely emergency medical care. According to GMA President, Professor Ernest Yorke, isolated interventions will not provide a lasting solution to the 'No Bed Syndrome' challenge.
Professor Yorke outlined seven major interventions the Association believes are necessary to establish an effective emergency response system. These include the expansion of the ongoing national electronic hospital bed management system, with the establishment of hospital bed management teams that have clearly defined responsibilities and the authority to coordinate patient movement.
The Association also proposed a dedicated and sustainable funding mechanism for emergency care to guarantee that patients receive the full range of services they need, including ambulance transfers, regardless of their financial circumstances. Additionally, the GMA wants all health facilities to expand their bed capacity and introduce spillover arrangements to accommodate patients when existing facilities reach capacity.
The GMA further called for the implementation of multidisciplinary, hospital-wide patient flow strategies to ensure that patients are directed to the appropriate departments and facilities without unnecessary delays. The Association also wants the government to strengthen pre-hospital and emergency care services, particularly ambulance operations, while improving the training of emergency medical technicians.
Beyond the challenges facing emergency healthcare, the Association has urged the government to strengthen Ghana's preparedness against Ebola virus disease following the detection of the Bundibugyo strain in neighbouring Nigeria. Professor Yorke warned that the development posed a serious public health concern and required Ghana to intensify its surveillance and emergency response measures.
The GMA has also advised the public to maintain good personal hygiene and adopt preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection. The Association encouraged people experiencing symptoms associated with Ebola to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest public health facility and urged the public to promptly alert health authorities about anyone in their communities displaying similar symptoms.
Key points
- Nationwide expansion of electronic bed management system
- Sustainable financing arrangement for emergency healthcare
- Strengthening Ghana's preparedness against Ebola virus disease
