Ghana seeks nationwide electronic hospital bed management
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on MyJoyOnline
Illustrative image · Greece-China News · Pexels · Licence PexelsThe Ghana Medical Association is calling for the nationwide rollout of the electronic bed management system to reduce patient refusals caused by a lack of available beds. The organisation is also calling for more beds, stronger ambulance services and sustainable emergency care funding, according to its president Ernest Yorke.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA), the professional association of Ghanaian doctors, is calling for the electronic bed management system currently being piloted in Ghana to be extended to all health facilities. It also wants dedicated teams capable of coordinating patient transfers and the use of available beds, to reduce refusals of care caused by a lack of capacity, according to MyJoyOnline.
GMA President Professor Ernest Yorke said measures taken by the Ministry of Health against the “No Bed Syndrome”, the refusal of patients because no beds are available, should be incorporated into a coordinated system. The association is also calling for increased hospital capacity and overflow arrangements when facilities reach maximum capacity.
The GMA also proposes strengthening ambulance services, equipping district hospitals and introducing patient-flow management strategies at facility level. It is calling for sustainable funding for emergency care so that patients can access first aid and be transferred to appropriate facilities without financial obstacles, according to MyJoyOnline.
These proposals were made at the GMA’s annual general conference, while the association had also proposed a dedicated emergency care fund on 8 November 2026.
