The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has clarified that the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) did not turn away emergency patients during a recent period of congestion at its Accident and Emergency (A&E) Centre. The clarification addresses public concerns arising from temporary measures implemented at the facility, with the GMA stating that these actions were taken to ensure patient safety and maintain the quality of care for those already admitted, not to deny emergency services.
Context of the Congestion
The situation at KATH’s A&E Centre escalated when patient numbers significantly exceeded the unit’s designed capacity. This overcrowding necessitated immediate operational adjustments to prevent a compromise in the care provided to critically ill patients already undergoing treatment. The GMA’s statement, issued on June 4, 2026, followed engagements with KATH management and a review of information from hospital staff.
Temporary Measures and Patient Redirection
According to the GMA, the temporary measures involved redistributing non-critical patients to peripheral health facilities within the Ashanti Region. This strategic redirection aimed to alleviate pressure on the overwhelmed A&E Centre and ensure that resources were focused on the most severe cases. Minutes from a June 2, 2026 meeting of the Regional Health Directorate indicated that coordinated steps were indeed taken to manage the overcrowding.
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