President Mahama Bans “No Bed” Rejections in Emergency Care, Announces Free Primary Healthcare Rollout and Major Hospital Expansions in 2026 SONA
President John Dramani Mahama has issued a firm directive prohibiting all health facilities from turning away patients in medical emergencies due to lack of beds, describing the practice as unacceptable and vowing decisive action to eliminate the so-called “no bed syndrome.”
Delivering his 2026 State of the Nation Address to Parliament today, the President referenced the recent tragic death of 29-year-old Charles Amissah, who was reportedly denied admission at three major hospitals in Accra (Police Hospital, Ridge Hospital, and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital) despite critical need, leading to his passing.
“You do not need to have a comfortable bed to save a patient. No patient must be turned away from any health facility they report to,” President Mahama declared, instructing the Ministry of Health to immediately issue clear guidelines enforcing this policy nationwide.
The President outlined a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at strengthening access, prevention, and specialised care:
- Full Rollout of Free Primary Healthcare Programme
- Commencing this year, all cost barriers at the primary healthcare level will be removed.
- Emphasis on prevention, screening, early detection, and health promotion — particularly for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancers.
- Expansion of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund
- Scaled-up funding to support advanced and life-saving treatments.
- Enhanced access to specialised care to reduce the need for overseas referrals.
- Advanced Cardiac Care Nationwide
- Cardiac catheterisation services will be expanded and made available at:
- Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (Accra)
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kumasi)
- Tamale Teaching Hospital (Northern Region)
- Goal: Position Ghana as a regional centre for high-level cardiac and specialised care.
- Cardiac catheterisation services will be expanded and made available at:
- Phase Two of Ridge Hospital Expansion
- Major infrastructure upgrade to significantly increase bed capacity and improve service delivery at one of Ghana’s busiest referral facilities.
President Mahama stressed that these measures are part of a deliberate strategy to build a more resilient, equitable, and self-reliant healthcare system capable of meeting the needs of all Ghanaians without turning away those in crisis.
The address drew applause from MPs and guests when the President reiterated that saving lives must take precedence over administrative convenience or bed availability constraints.
The Ministry of Health is expected to issue detailed operational guidelines and timelines for the “no bed” prohibition and free primary healthcare rollout in the coming weeks. The announcements form part of a broader health sector transformation agenda outlined in the 2026 SONA, with implementation closely watched by healthcare workers, patients, and civil society.
