Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has firmly stated that the shortage of hospital beds must never be used as an excuse to deny patients emergency care. Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Friday, February 13, he condemned the practice of turning away critically ill patients, stressing that saving lives must always be the foremost priority in healthcare facilities. “In emergencies, there is no such thing as ‘not enough.’ No doctor has the right to refuse treatment.
Even if it means attending to a patient on the floor, care must be provided,” he emphasised. The Minister pledged to tackle the growing issue, noting that he has repeatedly engaged CEOs of teaching hospitals, medical superintendents, and directors to reinforce the need to prioritise life-saving interventions—even under resource constraints.
His comments follow the death of 29-year-old engineer Charles Amissah, who was involved in a hit-and-run accident at the Nkrumah Circle Overpass on February 6, 2026. Although he was stabilised by Emergency Medical Technicians from the National Ambulance Service, he was reportedly denied admission by three major hospitals in Accra for nearly three hours before he died.
In response to the incident, the Minister has announced plans to chair a committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case. The committee is expected to begin work on Monday, February 16, with a mandate to establish the facts and recommend corrective measures.
Source: Patricia Boakye
