Deputy Minister of Health, Hon Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah has assured that, government is committed to addressing the issue of inadequate hospital beds, commonly known as “no bed syndrome”, by upgrading Ghana’s healthcare facilities.
Charles Amissah, a 29-year-old engineer died after being turned away from three major hospitals in Accra – Ridge Hospital, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, and the Police Hospital – due to a lack of available beds.
Responding to the Hon Minority Leader’s statement on the floor of parliament, she extended her heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the affected families.
She said, “Mr Speaker, the death of any Ghanaian in this circumstance is unfortunate and I will like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the loved ones of the deceased and also to the entire the nation”.
She added “Mr Speaker, I am the Deputy Minister of Health and also and a traumatologist, in other words I am train as a trauma surgeon specialist and consultant. Mr Speaker, the event that let to this unfortunate incident and demise of the gentleman is tragic and should not happen. Mr Speaker, in surgery, we call this a never-event. Mr Speaker, a never event is an event that should never happen”.
She said, under no circumstance should a human being died the way Amissah died and government and the Health Ministry are working with all relevant agencies to get to the bottom of the matter.
Hon Ayensu-Danquah assured that “the no bed syndrome” will be a thing of the past as government is committed to upgrading Ghana’s healthcare facilities across the country.
