By Daniel Bampoe
The healthcare system is coming under renewed scrutiny in 2026 as concerns mount over the increasing number of preventable deaths linked to delayed access to urgent care.
A detailed assessment by private medical practitioner Dr. Adomako Kissi has shed light on deep-rooted structural, financial, and operational challenges confronting hospitals across the country. His findings point to a system still recovering from the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, now grappling with rising costs, workforce shortages, and growing patient demand that threaten the long-term sustainability of hospital care.
Historically, the hospital system experienced a period of relative financial stability following the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003, which improved access to care and strengthened public health financing.
However, over the past decade—particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic—this stability has eroded. Hospitals now face escalating operational costs, including utilities, equipment, pharmaceuticals, and staff remuneration, while reimbursements from NHIS have declined in real terms.
At the same time, global economic pressures and currency fluctuations have made it more expensive to import medical supplies and maintain infrastructure.
According to the report, the hospitals are confronting a complex mix of challenges. These include a significant shortage of specialized healthcare workers—many of whom are migrating to Europe and North America for better opportunities—reduced insurance reimbursements, increasing pharmacy costs, and tighter access to capital for infrastructure development.
Additionally, hospitals must comply with new data protection regulations while managing fragmented information systems that report to multiple agencies. The growing number of uninsured patients further strains already overburdened emergency departments.
One of the most pressing issues identified is the imbalance between emergency and outpatient care. Many patients delay seeking medical attention until their conditions become critical, thereby increasing pressure on emergency units.
Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and ectopic pregnancies frequently escalate into life-threatening emergencies due to late diagnosis and intervention.
The report highlights the need for stronger public health education, encouraging routine medical checks such as blood pressure monitoring for adults over 25 and early pregnancy scans for women.
Urban population growth has also exposed severe gaps in hospital bed capacity, particularly in densely populated areas such as Ashiaman, Madina, Adenta, Dome-Kwabenya, and Amasaman. Major referral facilities like Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Ridge Hospital are increasingly unable to meet demand.
The report recommends a national target of at least three hospital beds per 1,000 residents, especially in high-density regions including Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern, and Northern regions.
Financial constraints remain a major barrier to expansion and modernization. Although government spending on hospital care has risen to approximately GH₵1,478 per capita annually, hospitals still struggle to access affordable credit for capital investments. High borrowing costs and limited financing options have placed many facilities at a competitive disadvantage, with some private hospitals already closing and others at risk.
Emergency care systems are also under severe strain. Overcrowding in emergency departments has led to delays in treatment, with some patients reportedly held for days due to a lack of available beds or appropriate discharge options.
Mental health services are particularly inadequate, forcing acute psychiatric patients to remain in emergency units. In some cases, patients remain hospitalized simply because they cannot afford laboratory tests or discharge fees, highlighting gaps in social support systems.
The report further raises concerns about patient safety and quality of care. Staffing shortages—especially among nurses—have been linked to higher rates of medical complications, including infections, surgical errors, and medication mistakes. Studies cited indicate that inadequate nurse-to-patient ratios significantly increase the risk of mortality and adverse outcomes. Alarmingly, preventable medical errors, including wrong medication dosages and procedural mistakes, continue to occur despite improved reporting systems.
To address these challenges, Dr. Kissi proposes a comprehensive reform agenda focused on workforce development, financing, infrastructure, and preventive care. Key recommendations include improving conditions of service for healthcare workers to curb migration, expanding training and educational support for nurses and allied health professionals, and investing in modern medical equipment and facilities.
He also calls for reforms to NHIS funding, including better alignment between collected levies and disbursements to healthcare providers.
The report emphasizes the need for a shift from reactive to preventive healthcare. Strengthening community-based services, promoting early diagnosis, and expanding access to outpatient care could significantly reduce emergency cases. It also advocates for stronger collaboration between the government, the private sector, and civil society, including religious leaders, to encourage timely health-seeking behavior.
Ultimately, the findings underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent avoidable deaths and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare. Without sustained investment and coordinated policy action, the hospitals risk becoming increasingly overwhelmed, with dire consequences for patient outcomes and national health security.
