Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is developing a new bed classification system to ease severe overcrowding, but the board chair, Prof. Titus Beyuo, says the reforms will take time to implement fully.
He outlined the plan this week following renewed public concern over congestion at the facility, triggered by viral images and videos showing patients on floors and benches due to a shortage of beds and a statement from the Korle Bu Doctors Association.
Prof. Beyuo, who also serves as Member of Parliament for Lambussie, said the hospital is moving toward a flexible system that will allow stabilised patients to be admitted to any ward with available beds, even if it is not their designated unit.
“The doctor has to now go to the patient wherever the patient is,” he explained, describing the shift as a major change from how medical teams traditionally operate.
Under the proposed arrangement, a patient normally slated for Medical Four, for instance, could be admitted to Medical Three if that is where space is available.
Doctors would follow their patients across wards instead of remaining confined to their usual units.
Prof. Beyuo noted that this approach is the only realistic way to reduce delays and manage the rising number of emergency cases.
He acknowledged, however, that significant work lies ahead.
“We should be training and informing our colleagues about these changes. But it is the only way they can manage the situation efficiently,” he said, stressing that many doctors are accustomed to having their patients in specific wards and will need time to adjust.
The board chair added that the new system depends on a broader national emergency care infrastructure.
He said a fully functional command centre, the relocation of the ambulance service’s call centre, and the deployment of physicians to perform online patient sorting will all be required.
Ghana’s ambulance fleet, with more than 200 vehicles, must also be integrated to ensure real-time coordination.
Training alone represents a massive undertaking.
Korle Bu has over 7,000 staff, and similar exercises would need to be carried out at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital and other major facilities nationwide.
Prof. Beyuo said this underscores why the changes cannot happen overnight, even though the overcrowding challenge demands urgent solutions.
The board chair insists the reforms being rolled out will bring lasting relief, but stakeholders must be patient as the transition unfolds.
About the Author
