Health Minister Inspects System to Tackle ‘No Bed Syndrome’

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has inspected the National Command Centre for Bed and Referral Management at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital as part of efforts to tackle Ghana’s persistent ‘no bed syndrome’ on Tuesday in Accra.

The system provides real-time information on bed availability across participating hospitals, helping emergency teams identify suitable facilities before dispatching ambulances. It also tracks ambulance movements and matches patients to facilities based on bed availability, medical needs and distance.

Mr. Akandoh said the system would help prevent situations where hospitals turn away patients despite beds being available elsewhere. It would also allow health authorities to monitor emergency patients who stay more than 24 hours and investigate the causes of prolonged stays.

Project Lead for Bed Management, Dr. Justine Osei, said more than 650 hospitals had been captured in the system, with over 5,000 beds mapped for monitoring and regular updates.

The pilot covers teaching hospitals, Greater Accra Regional Hospital and the University of Ghana Medical Centre, using 10 ambulances in Greater Accra and another 10 in the Ashanti Region.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen emergency care at selected facilities, including Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, 37 Military Hospital, and Tamale Teaching Hospital.

The Ministry plans to extend the system to all regional hospitals before rolling it out to district-level facilities.

Grace Acheampong, ISD.