The Korle-Bu Doctors’ Association (KODA) has warned of serious risks to patient safety and staff wellbeing at the Accident and Emergency Centre of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

In a statement issued on Monday, March 23, the association said overcrowding and administrative pressures are forcing healthcare workers to provide care in unsafe and improvised settings.

KODA Chairman, Dr Asare K Offel, described the situation as unsustainable and said it threatens both patient outcomes and the professional integrity of medical staff.

“While we remain committed to the ‘No Bed’ policy of not turning away any patient brought to the emergency room, the current overcrowding has forced healthcare workers to provide care in non-ideal and improvised settings,” he said.

“This status quo is unsustainable and poses significant risks to both patient recovery and professional integrity.”

The association highlighted several urgent issues caused by overcrowding. First, patient safety is being compromised, as overcrowding delays critical interventions, weakens infection control, and increases the likelihood of medical errors.

Second, doctors face significant medico-legal vulnerability because providing care on the floor, in chairs, or in hallways exposes them to legal risks should adverse events occur.

Third, the physical and mental strain on staff is severe, with rapid burnout and injuries such as spinal trauma from bending or squatting to treat patients, further threatening the quality of care.

KODA’s statement followed a visit to the emergency department by the Minister of Health and hospital management on 21st March, prompted by a social media video showing patients being treated in chairs and on the floor.

The minister reportedly found conditions near normal and suggested the social media report was inaccurate.

KODA clarified that such appearances are often staged ahead of official visits.

“The environment on the day of the minister’s visit was not a reflection of what actually happens daily at the emergency,” the statement said. “It is normal practice to prepare prior to a visit by a government official.”

The association said that the ‘No Bed Syndrome’ is not simply about the availability of beds.

“The bigger problem revolves around the capacity of other hospitals that are referring these patients, as well as coordination to the Korle-Bu emergency department. Any number of beds provided would be filled up in no time,” it said.

KODA urged the Ministry of Health and Korle-Bu management to take responsibility rather than assign blame.

It called on staff to rigorously document any care given in sub-optimal conditions, formally escalate every instance of overcrowding or resource deficit in writing to the Head of Unit and Director of Medical Affairs, and ensure adherence to basic safety and ethical standards even under systemic pressure.

The association also called on management to review referral linkages to reduce the pressure on Korle-Bu, immediately provide adequate resources and temporary holding spaces, and issue written legal cover for staff working under these compromised conditions.

“KODA appreciates the immediate efforts by management and the Minister of Health to provide temporary solutions,” the statement said. “We must transition from ‘crisis management’ to systemic correction.”

The doctors said that long-term solutions previously proposed by the Ghana Medical Association and other stakeholders require political will to implement.

They remain open to dialogue to prevent avoidable patient deaths and protect healthcare workers.