Korle-Bu overcrowding driven by broken referral system, not just bed shortage – Doctors

The Korle-Bu Doctors’ Association (KODA) has stated that the ongoing crisis at the Accident and Emergency Centre of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is not only due to a shortage of beds, but also reflects broader weaknesses in Ghana’s healthcare system—particularly the national referral process.

In a statement issued on March 23, 2026, KODA explained that overcrowding at the emergency unit is largely driven by lower-level health facilities referring patients they are unable to manage. As a result, Korle-Bu becomes the default destination for many cases.

The association emphasized that increasing bed capacity alone would not solve the problem, noting that additional beds would quickly be occupied if referring hospitals continue to lack the capacity to treat patients.

KODA said this situation highlights systemic challenges, including an ineffective referral network that fails to distribute patient care appropriately across different levels of the healthcare system.

The group called on hospital management to work with the Ministry of Health Ghana and the Ghana Health Service to strengthen the referral system. The goal is to ensure patients are treated at suitable facilities instead of overwhelming a single center.

The statement follows renewed public concern about overcrowding at Korle-Bu’s emergency unit, including reports of patients being treated in unsuitable spaces.

KODA also raised concerns about legal risks faced by doctors working under such conditions. It advised its members to carefully document the clinical environment when providing care, especially in situations where patients are treated in suboptimal settings due to limited space.

Doctors were further instructed to report cases of overcrowding and resource shortages to hospital authorities, including Heads of Unit and the Director of Medical Affairs.

Despite these challenges, KODA urged healthcare professionals to maintain ethical and professional standards, warning that difficult working conditions may not protect them from legal responsibility in cases of adverse outcomes.

The association noted that the Ghana Medical Association and other stakeholders have already proposed solutions to address the country’s healthcare challenges. However, it stressed that effective implementation depends on political will.

KODA concluded that resolving the crisis at Korle-Bu requires a comprehensive, system-wide approach that strengthens healthcare capacity at all levels, rather than focusing only on expanding infrastructure at a single facility.