Musician Mzbel has responded to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital’s call for information, maintaining that her late sister was denied a hospital bed despite being referred for emergency care.
In a statement issued after the hospital announced it was investigating her claims, Mzbel recounted the events leading to her sister’s death, insisting that the family was told there were no beds available upon arriving at the facility.
According to her, her sister, Laila, was initially rushed to the Ussher Clinic in Jamestown, where she received emergency attention before doctors referred her to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for further treatment.
Mzbel said that upon arrival at Korle Bu, the family was informed that no beds were available. She alleged that her sister was instead given a plastic chair but, because she was in severe pain, was forced to lie on the tiled floor.
She further claimed that while waiting for admission, her niece was instructed to purchase prescribed medications and pay for blood, all of which the family provided.
Despite meeting those requirements, Mzbel alleged that her sister was never admitted to a bed and remained on the floor until she died the following day.
According to the musician, the family was later billed for additional hospital charges after her sister’s death, including GH¢2,500 in mortuary fees, before the body could be prepared.
She also alleged that the medications and blood purchased for her sister were retained by the hospital after her death without any refund being made to the family.
Responding to Korle Bu’s statement, Mzbel said her intention was not to damage the reputation of the hospital but to highlight what she believes is a systemic problem within Ghana’s healthcare system.
She argued that her sister’s case reflects the experiences of many Ghanaians who have complained about delays in accessing emergency care due to bed shortages.
According to her, since speaking publicly about the incident, she has received hundreds of messages from people who claim to have gone through similar experiences.
“My concern is not simply whether there was or wasn’t a bed available on that particular day. My concern is the healthcare system and the way some patients are treated,” she stated.
Mzbel further questioned the perception that influential or wealthy people are more likely to secure hospital beds while ordinary citizens are left waiting, saying the issue deserves urgent national attention.
While acknowledging Korle Bu’s decision to investigate the matter, she said no inquiry would bring back her sister or erase the pain endured by her family, especially the four children her sister left behind.
She appealed for reforms that would ensure every Ghanaian receives timely, dignified and compassionate healthcare regardless of social status, political affiliation or financial circumstances.
Korle Bu Teaching Hospital had earlier called on Mzbel to provide details to assist investigations into her allegations, stating that it treats all complaints concerning patient care seriously and remains committed to establishing the facts surrounding the incident.
