Accra: Dr. Henry Bulley, Head of Accident and Emergency at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, has called for mental health specialists in emergency trauma units. He highlighted that the psychological trauma experienced by road crash victims and their relatives is often overlooked while medical teams focus primarily on stabilizing physical injuries.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Bulley emphasized that road crashes could lead to sudden and life-altering emotional trauma, including limb amputations, facial disfigurement, and the loss of family breadwinners. He pointed out that trauma patients face not only physical injuries but also intense fear, anxiety over lost livelihoods, and social stigma. He advocated for the presence of dedicated mental health specialists permanently stationed in emergency wards to ensure that psychological first aid begins the moment a victim is stabilized.
Dr. Bulley noted that early psychological intervention could significantly reduce the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe depression, and emotional distress among survivors during their recovery process. He also stressed that the emotional burden impacts healthcare professionals working in high-pressure emergency settings, making on-site psychological support crucial for staff well-being and institutional resilience.
He reported that road crash admissions at Korle Bu had increased from 384 in mid-2023 to 553 during the corresponding period in 2024. This rise has also led to an increase in daily attendance at the department from about 60 to nearly 100 patients, adding pressure on available resources and personnel.
Despite improved survival rates due to specialized emergency training and refined treatment protocols, Dr. Bulley called for broader institutional reforms to enhance emergency care delivery. He appealed for dedicated emergency funding, expanded infrastructure, and increased investment in mental health services to support the recovery of trauma patients.