Prof Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah vows to end 'no bed syndrome' following death of hit-and-run victim

The Deputy Minister of Health, 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 Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin's statement on the floor of parliament, Prof Ayensu-Danquah 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 nation.”

She added, “Mr Speaker, I am the Deputy Minister of Health and also and a traumatologist, in other words I am trained as a trauma surgeon specialist and consultant. Mr Speaker, the event that led to this unfortunate incident and demise of the gentleman is tragic and should not have happened. 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 die the way Amissah died, and taht government and the Health Ministry are working with all relevant agencies to get to the bottom of the matter.

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.