The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has resumed admissions at its Accident and Emergency Centre after temporarily restricting new referrals due to severe congestion and a shortage of beds.
The decision follows emergency consultations between the hospital and other health facilities across the Ashanti Region aimed at easing pressure on KATH’s emergency services.
Speaking during a media tour of the facility, Acting Medical Director of KATH, Dr Yaw Opare Larbi, said the hospital had begun accepting referrals again because of its critical role as a major referral centre serving 12 regions across the country.
According to him, management convened a virtual meeting with the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, the Deputy Director of Clinical Care, medical superintendents of Ghana Health Service facilities and selected private hospitals following the public announcement of overcrowding at the emergency centre.
The meeting assessed the capacity of partner health facilities to support patient care and help reduce pressure on KATH.
“The facilities provided information on the availability of beds and the services they could offer. Some agreed to continue managing patients awaiting referrals, while others offered to receive referrals from surrounding facilities,” Dr Larbi explained.
He noted that one facility reported its male ward was full but had three available beds in its female ward for patients who did not require surgery or intensive care. Other hospitals also outlined their capacities and readiness to support the referral system.
Dr Larbi added that some facilities possess specialised equipment such as ventilators and hospital beds but lack personnel with the expertise required to manage critical care units. As a result, KATH specialists will continue to provide technical support and guidance through remote consultations where necessary.
He disclosed that the hospital had reduced a backlog of nearly 40 patients awaiting admission, making it possible to gradually reopen admissions at the emergency centre.
Despite the improvement, Dr Larbi acknowledged that bed capacity remains a major challenge.
“When I conducted rounds this morning, the entire D-Block had only five available beds. Although there may be additional beds in other wards, it indicates that we still face significant capacity constraints,” he said.
He noted that some patients could still be seen on stretchers and in temporary spaces within the emergency centre, highlighting the continued strain on available resources.
However, Dr Larbi assured the public that KATH would continue to provide emergency care to patients in need.
“Any patient who arrives will be admitted. We are managing the situation and doing everything possible to ensure that patients continue to receive care,” he stated.
KATH announced a temporary suspension of admissions at its Accident and Emergency Centre earlier this week due to overcrowding, sparking concern among patients and the general public.
Management says ongoing collaboration with regional health facilities is expected to improve patient flow and ensure continuity of emergency healthcare services while efforts continue to address the persistent shortage of beds.
