Mahama announces emergency bed expansion at four major hospitals to tackle 'No-Bed Syndrome'

President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to increase emergency bed capacity at 4 major hospitals to at least 10% of their respective functional bed capacities as part of measures to address Ghana's persistent 'No-Bed Syndrome.'

Speaking at the 68th Annual General Conference of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) on Friday, November 6, 2026, the President said expansion works would begin next year at the Accident and Emergency Centres of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital and the 37 Military Hospital.

He explained that the expansion would be accompanied by the recruitment and deployment of additional medical personnel, as well as the provision of equipment, oxygen and other essential supplies to ensure the facilities operate effectively.

At Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the proposed expansion would increase emergency bed capacity from the current 65 to at least 150 beds, more than doubling the existing number.

“We are therefore implementing measures to expand emergency bed capacity to at least 10 per cent of each facility’s functional bed capacity,” President Mahama said.

While preparations for the expansion projects continue, he announced the immediate opening of the Ghana Armed Forces Critical Care and Emergency Hospital to members of the public.

“Indeed, it is opening today, and from today, the facility will start receiving patients,” he said, explaining that the hospital would provide additional capacity to accommodate increases in emergency cases.

President Mahama also urged healthcare facilities to ensure that patients in critical condition are not turned away simply because beds are unavailable.

“When a patient arrives in critical condition, we cannot simply say, 'No bed, no bed, go somewhere else.' At the very least, the patient must be assessed,” he stressed.

He said hospitals that lack the capacity to provide definitive treatment must first stabilise patients within their available resources before arranging transfers to facilities capable of delivering the required care.

To strengthen emergency referrals and improve the distribution of patients across health facilities, the government has also piloted an Integrated Bed Management and Referral Coordination System involving 7 major hospitals and the National Ambulance Service.