Ghana Medical Association expresses concern over query letter issued to KATH CEO

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has expressed concern over a query letter issued to the Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) following the temporary suspension of admissions at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) Centre.

The Association says the decision by hospital management was a necessary response to severe overcrowding at the facility, which had exceeded its operational capacity and could no longer safely accommodate additional emergency cases.

The temporary halt in admissions generated widespread public discussion and raised concerns about access to emergency healthcare services at one of Ghana’s largest referral hospitals.

In a statement, the GMA sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding the decision, stressing that measures taken by KATH management were aimed at protecting patient safety and ensuring the continued delivery of quality emergency care.

According to the Association, its assessment of the situation—including consultations with hospital management, staff of the Accident and Emergency Centre, and a review of explanations provided by the hospital’s Medical Director—indicated that the intervention was intended to redistribute patients to other health facilities within the Ashanti Region.

The GMA explained that the temporary arrangements were designed to ease pressure on the emergency centre while ensuring patients continued to receive appropriate care.

“The GMA is however concerned about the negative picture portrayed by the query letter to the Chief Executive Officer of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, which appears to suggest wrongdoing by the management of KATH,” the Association stated.

It added that it hopes ongoing engagements between the KATH Chief Executive Officer and the Minister for Health will lead to practical solutions that strengthen emergency healthcare delivery rather than punitive outcomes.

According to the GMA, patient numbers at the A&E Centre had significantly exceeded the hospital’s designed capacity, creating an urgent need for operational measures to safeguard both patients and healthcare workers.

The Association further revealed that a meeting convened by the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate on June 2 resulted in a series of agreed interventions aimed at addressing congestion at the facility.

The GMA noted that conditions at the emergency centre have since improved considerably and commended healthcare professionals who continued to provide services under challenging circumstances.

The Association praised the dedication of doctors, nurses, and other health workers who worked tirelessly to maintain continuity of care despite the overcrowding.

While acknowledging that the immediate congestion crisis has been largely resolved, the GMA said the incident highlights deeper systemic challenges confronting emergency healthcare delivery in Ghana.

It therefore called for increased investment in emergency medicine infrastructure, the expansion of emergency care facilities, stronger referral networks, and improved resourcing of regional and district hospitals.

According to the Association, strengthening healthcare facilities at the regional and district levels would help manage emergency cases closer to patients’ communities and reduce pressure on major referral hospitals such as KATH.

The GMA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies and reforms that enhance patient safety, improve healthcare delivery, and strengthen the country’s emergency response systems.

The Association said it will continue to monitor developments while advocating sustainable solutions to address capacity challenges within Ghana’s healthcare sector.