The spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Tony Goodman, has declared that no patient should be told there is “no bed” at a health facility without a proper assessment by an authorized medical professional.
Mr. Goodman stressed that it is inappropriate for security personnel or unauthorized staff to turn patients away from hospitals.
According to him, only trained and authorized health professionals have the mandate to determine whether a facility has the capacity to admit a patient.
“There is no need to simply tell a patient there is no bed. Someone in a responsible position must assess the patient. At the very least, the patient should be stabilized before any determination is made,” he stated.
He emphasized that in emergency situations, patients must first be stabilized before any decision is taken regarding bed availability or referral to another facility.
Mr. Goodman also noted that patients often have nowhere else to turn when denied care, as alternative facilities or doctors may not be readily accessible.
The priority, he said, must always be immediate care and proper management of the patient’s condition before considering transfer arrangements.
Touching on long-term reforms, the spokesperson revealed that the Ministry is addressing gaps in specialized healthcare delivery through new training initiatives.
He announced that the Ministry will soon advertise for nurses to undergo specialized training in critical fields including:
-
Oncology
-
Critical care
-
Emergency care
-
Nephrology
-
Other specialized disciplines
According to Mr. Goodman, Ghana’s healthcare system has historically produced more general nurses than specialists, creating skill gaps in critical areas.
“We have not trained enough specialists in these areas over the years. What we mostly have are general nurses. Now we want to specialize many of them so that when critical issues arise, they are well-equipped to respond,” he added.
The announcement signals a broader push by the Ministry to strengthen emergency response systems and improve patient outcomes across the country’s health facilities.