Health ministry responds to hospital bed shortage crisis

The Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Tony Goodman, has explained Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh’s initiative to establish a system that will monitor bed availability across hospitals in Ghana, aimed at reducing the “no-bed syndrome.”

Speaking with JoyNews on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Goodman said the ministry is currently monitoring the situation across hospitals, and whenever they realise there is a surge in a particular area, mechanisms will be created to address it.

“We are currently monitoring the situation, and when we have a spike or surge in these areas, we will quickly activate the various coordinating mechanisms we have adopted. This will ensure that, even where hospitals are not under the Ministry of Health, patients can still be sent to those areas. These are some of the measures we are implementing,” he said.

He also mentioned the minister’s plans to coordinate with specific hospital facilities in Ghana, particularly within Greater Accra, where patients can be transferred for medical attention when the hospital they are at is experiencing the “no-bed syndrome.”

He added that, as a result of these measures, they expect a more stabilised situation during emergency care.

“The plan also is for the minister to coordinate with 37 Military Hospital, UGMC, the Bank Hospital, the Maritime Hospital, and other facilities within Greater Accra to move patients as needed. He himself is leading this charge, and very soon we expect a stabilised situation when it comes to emergency care,” Tony Goodman added.

He continued: “As I said earlier, these environments have been neglected for some time, and what you are seeing is the result of what has not been done over the period. The minister is ready to resolve this once and for all.”

“When asked about the timeline for when healthcare workers should expect immediate improvements in logistics, consumables, and safe temporary holding spaces for patients, he responded saying, “Well, when it comes to healthcare delivery, improvements will be made as and when possible. You will not always know exactly when.”

VKB/EB