The Accident and Emergency Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is buckling under unprecedented pressure, with daily patient attendance surging from between 50 and 70 to more than 100 — far exceeding the unit’s 50-bed capacity .
Dr Henry Bulley, Head of the Department, disclosed in an interview with the Ghana News Agency that the facility now receives about 100 patients daily, with figures frequently exceeding that number . The surge spans both trauma and non-trauma cases, including strokes, sudden loss of consciousness, severe diabetic complications, kidney diseases, domestic injuries, and road traffic crashes .
‘What Is Happening in the System?’
Dr Bulley expressed particular concern over the changing nature of medical emergencies, noting that previously manageable conditions are now presenting as life-threatening crises.
“Previously, adults with malaria would simply visit clinics with fever, headaches and body pains, get tested, treated and go home. Now they are arriving unconscious, and many also present with severe kidney injuries,” he said .
While health professionals have yet to establish the exact causes of this troubling trend, Dr Bulley stressed the need for thorough scientific investigation and raised questions about potential environmental factors.
“We are asking ourselves what is happening in the system. Could it be due to the effects of illegal mining activities? The cases are not coming from Accra alone,” he said. “Even the food we eat and the water we drink come from different parts of the country. It is something that should be studied properly before conclusions are drawn” .
Road Traffic Accidents on the Rise
Departmental data reveals a steady increase in road traffic accident cases. By the end of June 2026, the unit had attended to 7,781 emergency patients, compared to 7,108 during the same period in 2025, 7,910 in 2024, and 7,362 in 2023 .
Road traffic accidents accounted for 553 cases in the first half of 2026, representing 7.11 per cent of all emergency attendances. This marks a significant increase from 379 cases (5.33 per cent) in 2025, 368 cases (4.65 per cent) in 2024, and 384 cases (5.22 per cent) in 2023 .
Improved Survival Rates Despite Pressure
Despite the escalating caseload, Dr Bulley reported improvements in patient outcomes, attributing this to the increased availability of emergency physicians and specialised emergency nurses .
Departmental data shows that 10 accident-related deaths were recorded by the end of June 2026, representing a mortality rate of 1.81 per cent, compared to 1.85 per cent during the same period in 2025 . The department recorded 12 deaths (3.26 per cent) in 2024 and seven deaths (1.82 per cent) in 2023 .
“Continued improvements in emergency medicine have strengthened the department’s ability to stabilise critically injured patients and improve survival rates,” Dr Bulley said .
Peak Periods and Preventive Measures
Dr Bulley identified festive periods, long public holidays, and school vacations as peak times for emergency cases, warning that celebrations often lead to increased travel, alcohol consumption, substance use, and unsafe driving practices .
“When children are on vacation, we see more injuries involving them. During Easter, Christmas, New Year and other holidays, the numbers also go up,” he said .
He called for intensified road safety education and preventive measures to reduce injuries and ease pressure on emergency departments nationwide .
Systemic Crisis Deepens
The surge at Korle Bu reflects broader systemic challenges in Ghana’s healthcare sector. The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association recently revealed that the country operates at just 0.7 hospital beds per 1,000 population — far below the World Health Organization’s recommended five beds . Major hospitals are recording 120–150 per cent occupancy, intensifying the nationwide “no-bed syndrome” .
In March 2026, the Korle Bu Doctors Association warned that overcrowding at the emergency unit threatens both patient safety and staff wellbeing, noting that treating patients on floors, in chairs, or hallways places doctors at immense legal and occupational risk . Emergency Medicine Residents at the hospital confirmed that a viral video showing patients receiving care on the floor was “authentic,” describing it as a symptom of a fractured national emergency response system .
The Ghana Medical Association has similarly called for systemic reforms, proposing a national tracking dashboard to improve coordination between referral hospitals and ambulance services .
