The tragic death of 29-year-old engineer Charles Amissah, who died after being turned away from multiple hospitals due to a lack of beds, has sparked deep reflection on Ghana’s healthcare system.
His sister, Dr Matilda Amissah, shared the emotional story of her brother’s passing in an interview on JoyNews’ News Desk Programme.
A Loving Brother and Son
Dr Matilda Amissah fondly described her brother as a quiet, loving gentleman who was the “backbone of the house,” playing a central role in supporting their family. As the only male among three siblings, Charles was the one whom everyone relied on, not only for emotional support but also for his practical skills.
“He was very quiet, loving, and a gentleman,” Dr Amissah said, holding back tears. “He was the backbone of the house. He supported my mom in everything. As an engineer, he could dismantle and put things back together in the twinkle of an eye.”
Dr Amissah detailed the harrowing day the family first learned of Charles’ accident. Initially, they had feared he was missing, but after reporting it to the police, they were informed by the Nima Police Station that they needed to identify a body.
“We thought he was missing. We reported it to the police. They did their part to search for him, and eventually, Nima Police called us to identify a person. The age was 48,” she explained.
When they arrived at the Korle Bu Mortuary, they were shocked to find Charles. It was later revealed that the National Ambulance had transported him to three different hospitals over a span of nearly three hours, but none of the hospitals were able to admit him due to reported bed shortages.
“I was like, ‘Wow.’ I still can’t believe it,” Dr Amissah said, her voice heavy with emotion. “Three hours, and no one could help him.”
Despite the immense grief, Dr Amissah’s response was a call for action and change. She expressed both her heartbreak and hope for reform, acknowledging the chronic issues within the healthcare system that led to her brother’s death.
“I know that we have a lot of issues in the healthcare system that we have to address,” she said. “But I’m still heartbroken. I’m smiling, but my heart is heavy. I’m still heartbroken. We were hoping that things would change. I was hoping that the government would come in and help strengthen the healthcare system.”
Dr Amissah pointed to the government’s need to address these systemic issues, particularly within emergency care. On the fateful day of the accident, the family was told that Charles had been turned away from the hospitals because of a lack of available beds.
While two doctors and two nurses at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have been interdicted as part of an ongoing investigation, Dr Amissah stressed that no amount of action could bring Charles back.
“Charles is gone. Nothing will bring him back. We are still saddened.”
Funeral Preparations
Amid the grief, the family is now focused on preparing to lay Charles to rest. Dr Amissah confirmed that preparations are underway for the funeral on Friday at the Methodist Church in Accra.
“We are 90% ready for the funeral,” Dr Amissah said. “Promasidor has been very supportive in helping with the preparations.”
A Legacy of Strength and Resilience
When asked how she would like her brother to be remembered, Dr Amissah described Charles as a man of great strength and resilience, someone who always went above and beyond to help others.
“I want us to remember him as a strong, resilient young man, ready to fix things and make things right,” she said, her voice steady despite the heartbreak.
Reforms in Emergency Care Needed
As a medical professional, Dr Amissah also spoke candidly about what changes she believes are necessary for Ghana’s emergency care system. She emphasised the importance of a strong triage system, which helps healthcare workers prioritise patients based on the severity of their conditions.
“It’s all about confidence in triage,” she said. “If the triage system is strong enough, doctors can intervene and give first aid immediately. If it’s blood, the patient will need it. But if you don’t look properly, you won’t see.”
She continued, “I would say that we can strengthen the triage system and equip doctors to be able to handle emergencies properly. It would go a long way.”
“We are focused on laying him to rest,” she said. “That is our priority now.”
The deceased, 29-year-old Charles Amissah, an engineer with Promasidor Ghana Limited, sustained severe shoulder injuries in a hit-and-run accident at the Circle Overpass in Accra on February 6, 2026.
He was stabilised by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel and prepared for transfer to a hospital for further treatment.
Reports indicate that Amissah was unable to secure admission at the Police Hospital, Ridge Hospital, and Korle Bu due to a lack of available beds. While at Korle Bu, he reportedly went into cardiac arrest.
Although cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered, efforts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was later pronounced dead.
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