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Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has described recent hospital-related deaths as “needless” and reprehensible, calling for immediate investigations and new legislation to address Ghana’s persistent “no bed syndrome.”
“The House must hold responsible persons accountable and prioritize the passage of an emergency care law to prevent avoidable fatalities,” Mr. Bagbin urged during Parliamentary sessions.
“We need to enquire further into the matter, and we need to hold people accountable. This is one of the needless deaths we have experienced in this country,” he said. “We need to pass an emergency care law.”
His remarks follow a resurgence of national discussion about the “no bed syndrome,” a scenario in which people in severe condition are turned away from medical facilities because there is not enough room, staff, or equipment.
The recent death of 29-year-old engineer Charles Amissah, who allegedly passed away after being referred from one Accra hospital to another without obtaining prompt care, rekindled the conversation. Public outcry and demands for changes to emergency healthcare delivery have been sparked by his case.
While acknowledging the challenging working conditions faced by healthcare professionals, Mr. Bagbin emphasized that professionalism and compassion could not be sacrificed.
“I know the conditions under which health personnel operate. But I also know health personnel have handled accident cases and stabilised patients even in the bush,” he said. “Patriotic health workers have done that, and people have survived.”
He contended that some healthcare facilities’ systemic flaws and negative attitudes were causing avoidable deaths.
“When you see the same people working outside, their attitude is different. It means something is wrong here,” he added.
“That is why I partly agree with the Majority Leader that we should set the agenda as political leaders,” Mr Bagbin stated.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
