The President of the Ghana Medical Association, Ernest Yorke, has cautioned against scapegoating doctors and nurses following the release of the investigative report into the death of Charles Amissah.
Speaking on Ekosii Sen on Asempa FM, Prof. Yorke described the “no bed syndrome” as a broader systemic failure within Ghana’s emergency healthcare system rather than the fault of individual health professionals alone.
“The issues about no bed syndrome are broad. We are not surprised by the findings. It shows us that we have challenges when it comes to emergency care in this country,” he stated.
According to him, the report highlights several underlying problems, including inadequate funding, policy gaps, insufficient personnel, poor emergency response systems, and challenges with healthcare infrastructure.
He stressed that public discussions surrounding the case appear to unfairly portray doctors as solely responsible for the incident.
“However, the conversation is being tilted to make it look like it was all the doctors’ fault, which is not the case. Some are being bullied online,” he said.
Prof. Yorke noted that the committee’s findings should not automatically be interpreted as proof of guilt against the health professionals involved.
“What the committee has found technically is not a finding of guilt,” he added.
The GMA President further raised concerns about limited training capacity, inadequate ambulance services, and weak emergency care regulations in the country.
“The issue of no bed syndrome is a euphemism for failed emergency care,” he stated.
He urged the nation to use the incident as an opportunity to reflect and strengthen the healthcare system to prevent future occurrences.
“Let’s use this opportunity as a nation and reflect so it doesn’t happen again,” he said.
Prof. Yorke, however, indicated that the Association supports due process and professional accountability where wrongdoing is established.
“We support the upholding of the highest professional standards, so we support them going through the process. But that won’t be the end; we should improve healthcare delivery,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has directed seven health professionals to face disciplinary action following investigations into Mr. Amissah’s death.
They include Aida Druante, Genevieve Adjah, Joy Daisy Nelson and Salamatu Alhassan of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, as well as Nina Naomin Eyram and Akosua B. Turkson of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and Anne-Marie Kudowo of the Police Hospital.
Charles Amissah, an engineer with Promasidor Ghana Limited, died in February 2026 after sustaining injuries in a hit-and-run accident involving his motorbike.
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