Accra: Dr. Henry Bulley, Head of the Accident and Emergency Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, warns that Ghana's health infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the nation's rapid population growth, resulting in overstretched major referral hospitals.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Bulley noted that the increasing demand for emergency services has placed significant pressure on existing facilities, equipment, and healthcare workers, negatively impacting hospitals' ability to provide timely care. In an interview, he highlighted the discrepancy between population growth and the expansion of healthcare infrastructure as a critical challenge facing the health sector.
Korle Bu, a major referral center due to its specialist expertise and relatively lower cost of care, receives numerous patients from across the country. Dr. Bulley emphasized that when Korle Bu was originally built, Ghana's population was below six million. Now, with the population exceeding 30 million, the hospital has not seen a corresponding expansion.
Many patients are referred to Korle Bu from public hospitals, including some tertiary facilities, primarily because they cannot afford treatment elsewhere or require specialized care. Dr. Bulley explained that some patients, already stabilized at other hospitals, are still transferred through the Emergency Department instead of being directed to specialist wards, which contributes to congestion.
The situation has led to critically ill patients remaining in the Emergency Department for extended periods while waiting for beds in specialist units. Dr. Bulley called for increased investment in hospital expansion, bed capacity, and the recruitment of healthcare professionals to meet the needs of the growing population.
He pointed out that while nurses are available, those on duty are often overwhelmed due to financial clearance issues, urging policymakers to address these challenges. Expanding and strengthening district and regional hospitals could alleviate pressure on Korle Bu and allow patients to access quality care closer to their communities.
Dr. Bulley also advocated for improved rehabilitation and mental health support within emergency care, especially for accident victims and their families. The number of psychologists available to support patients is inadequate, and some patients requiring amputations decline procedures due to a lack of proper counseling on rehabilitation options and modern prosthetic technology.
Highlighting the emotional impact of emergency care on health professionals, Dr. Bulley explained that doctors and nurses often experience distress from patient deaths, despite maintaining composure before affected families. He shared that debriefing sessions are conducted after difficult cases to provide emotional support and reflect on potential improvements in care.
An experience involving the death of a young woman, who was moved between emergency units while seeking treatment, influenced Dr. Bulley's decision to specialize in emergency medicine. He stressed the need for an integrated emergency care system where critically ill patients are stabilized before being referred to specialists, a realization that changed his career path.
Dr. Bulley urged policymakers to prioritize investment in emergency medicine, describing emergency physicians as a crucial part of the healthcare system. Even on holidays, when most clinics are closed, emergency physicians remain at work. Greater investment in infrastructure, personnel, and support services is necessary to ensure the health system keeps pace with the country's growing population.