Viral video of patients lying on the floor is authentic - Korle Bu doctors

Emergency Medicine Residents at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) say a viral video showing patients lying on the floor of the hospital’s emergency unit while receiving care is an accurate reflection of conditions at the facility.

In a statement issued on Monday, March 23, 2026, the residents explained that the incident, which occurred following a surge in patient numbers at the unit, is a symptom of a fractured national emergency response system.

“The video footage is authentic. When the surge in patients exhausted all available beds, chairs were provided. When those chairs were also exhausted, patients had no option but to receive care on the floor. This sequence was witnessed by every member of our clinical team. Characterising this documentation as ‘AI-generated’ or ‘media slander’ is factually inaccurate and an affront to both patients and staff,” the statement said.

According to the residents, the situation is the result of broader systemic failures at KBTH, including weak referral systems. They added that the recent addition of 200 beds will not resolve the crisis.

“The procurement of 200 beds, while noted, does not address the crisis. Beds without functional oxygen points, airway equipment, monitoring tools, adequate floor space, and sufficient nursing and physician staffing ratios do not improve care. They instead congest an already overwhelmed space. A comprehensive, well-resourced solution is required, not headline figures,” the statement noted.

Disturbing video emerges of patients occupying ward floors at Korle Bu

The residents further stressed the need for comprehensive reforms, urging authorities to move beyond short-term fixes and focus on strengthening the country’s overall healthcare system.

“We urge management and the Ministry of Health to move past PR-focused responses and commit to transparent and systemic reform. The evidence is real. The crisis is real. And the response must be equally real,” the statement added.

Read the full statement below:



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