The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has called for significant reforms in Ghana’s healthcare system. This follows the death of Charles Amissah, who was allegedly turned away from three different hospitals. Perpetual Ofori-Amanfo, president of the GRNMA, stated that this tragedy must be a catalyst for change. Her comments came after the submission of an investigative committee’s report.
Madam Ofori-Amanfo stressed that the incident should lead to accountability and meaningful improvements in emergency care. She urged that the circumstances of Charles Amissah’s death make a difference in the nation’s health services. The GRNMA believes this event highlights deep-seated issues within the system. It is estimated that approximately 30 million Ghana cedis are spent on healthcare annually.
The case is being viewed within the context of Ghana's ongoing struggle to provide consistent and effective healthcare. Previous reports have indicated that the health sector faces challenges with funding and resource allocation. Investment in healthcare infrastructure has lagged behind population growth. This has created strain on existing facilities. The GRNMA president specifically mentioned the need for increased investment in health workers. She believes this is crucial for any health system’s progress.
“Every health system can only progress when we have invested in the health workers,” Madam Ofori-Amanfo stated clearly. She called for more training and professional development for medical staff. This aims to ensure they are equipped for emergencies. The GRNMA also pointed out weaknesses in the national ambulance service. Communication systems between hospitals were also identified as problematic. This breakdown makes patient referrals and emergency care difficult. She explained that a well-functioning system requires hospitals to coordinate their efforts.
Receiving facilities should confirm bed availability and prepare staff before a patient arrives. “By the time the ambulance gets there, professionals should be ready to receive the patient. All those systems are broken down,” she observed. Madam Ofori-Amanfo also expressed concern about the physical state of emergency healthcare facilities. Many units are too small and lack sufficient resources. This limits their ability to handle critical situations. She warned that Ghana could struggle if a major disaster occurred. The country lacks enough fully equipped emergency centres. The GRNMA advised against blaming individual health professionals. Instead, the focus should be on fixing systemic failures. This approach ensures that healthcare workers operating under difficult conditions are not made scapegoats.