The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced plans to strengthen 24-hour healthcare delivery across all units of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, as part of a broader effort to improve patient care and ease mounting pressure on the country’s premier referral facility.
The announcement was made during an emergency working visit to the hospital, prompted by a viral social media video alleging that patients at the Accident and Emergency Department were being treated on the floor due to a shortage of beds. The development sparked public concern over conditions at the facility and renewed calls for urgent intervention.
Addressing the media after touring the hospital, Hon. Akandoh acknowledged the operational challenges confronting the institution but stressed that government is prioritising a shift towards continuous, round-the-clock service delivery across all departments.
He explained that the objective is to ensure that healthcare services remain efficient beyond peak hours, with all units functioning seamlessly throughout the day and night to enhance patient outcomes and minimise delays in treatment and admissions.
“We must move towards a system where patient care is truly a 24-hour service across the hospital, with seamless coordination between departments to ensure that no patient is left waiting unnecessarily,” the Minister stated.
As part of the reform measures, the Minister disclosed plans to establish an IT-based command centre aimed at improving real-time coordination of patient referrals. The system, he noted, would help direct patients to facilities with available capacity, thereby reducing congestion at the hospital.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Yakubu Seidu Adam, also acknowledged the strain on the facility and revealed that the implementation of 24-hour service delivery across departments would be carried out in phases.
According to him, while the hospital is committed to achieving full continuous care services, the process will be gradual to ensure that the necessary systems, logistics, and human resources are adequately strengthened for sustainability.
“This is not something that can be achieved at once. The 24-hour service across the hospital will be introduced gradually as we strengthen the necessary systems and resources to support it,” he explained.
Hon. Akandoh further commended healthcare workers at the hospital for their resilience and dedication despite the challenges they face daily. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting the facility through critical infrastructure expansion, including the provision of additional beds and the construction of new facilities such as a maternity block.
The move is expected to significantly improve service delivery at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, while restoring public confidence in the country’s healthcare system.
