Emergency Nurses Society of Ghana (ENSOG) Expresses Deep Concern Over “No Bed Syndrome” and Systemic Failures in Emergency Care Following Death of Mr. Charles Amissah

The Emergency Nurses Society of Ghana (ENSOG), operating under the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), has issued a strongly worded press release expressing profound concern over recent media reports of delayed emergency care that contributed to the death of Mr. Charles Amissah after he was reportedly turned away from multiple hospitals due to unavailability of beds.

In the statement jointly signed by National Chairman Isaiah Adu-Gyamfi and National Secretary Gertrude Nana Konadu, dated February 24, 2026, ENSOG extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and emphasised that no family should endure such distress due to systemic healthcare failures during a life-threatening crisis.

Key Points from the ENSOG Press Release

ENSOG described the “No Bed Syndrome” as a symptom of deeper systemic pressures rather than isolated operational failures. The group highlighted several critical deficiencies in Ghana’s emergency care ecosystem:

1. Inadequate Bed Capacity Major emergency departments in Accra (e.g., Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Greater Accra Regional Hospital – Ridge) collectively have fewer than 1,000 beds to serve a population exceeding 5 million. This leads to prolonged boarding of patients, delayed admissions, and compromised care quality.
2. Staffing Shortages and Skills Gaps Ghana has made progress in nurse-to-population ratios, but Emergency Nurse Specialists remain unevenly trained and distributed. High training costs, poor remuneration, and migration pressures have reduced the attractiveness of emergency nursing. Many facilities rely on non-specialist staff, increasing risks during high-acuity cases.
3. Massive Nurse Migration Over 10,000 nurses and midwives have left Ghana in recent years, including 3,000 in early 2022 alone. Surveys indicate more than 70% of remaining nurses plan to migrate soon, severely impacting emergency readiness and staffing levels.
4. Limited Critical Care Infrastructure Insufficient ICU and High Dependency Unit (HDU) beds force emergency departments to hold critically ill patients longer, reducing capacity for new arrivals and increasing workload pressure.
5. Prehospital Emergency Care Challenges Despite expansion of ambulance services, many lack advanced resuscitation equipment, consistent supplies, and robust early stabilisation capabilities — especially in trauma and medical emergencies.
6. Weak Inter-Facility Coordination and Surge Planning Real-time bed availability information is often unavailable, referral communication remains fragmented, and structured Emergency Operation Plans (EOPs), surge protocols, and referral frameworks are inconsistently implemented. Ambulances frequently spend excessive time searching for accepting facilities.

ENSOG’s Position and Commitments

The Society clarified that its statement is intended to promote dialogue, evidence-based planning, and coordinated reform — not to assign blame. ENSOG reaffirmed its full commitment to partnering with:

• Ministry of Health
• Ghana Health Service
• National Ambulance Service
• Teaching hospitals
• Professional associations
• Development partners

The group pledged active support for initiatives to strengthen emergency care systems nationwide, ensuring safe, timely, and effective treatment for all Ghanaians.

The release concluded with a renewed call for urgent, collective action to address the structural deficiencies exposed by tragic incidents like the death of Mr. Charles Amissah, who was reportedly turned away from multiple facilities including Police Hospital, Ridge Hospital, and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital due to “no bed” availability.