Accra: The Accident and Emergency Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is experiencing a significant increase in daily patient attendance, with cases rising from about 50 and 70 to surpassing 100 daily. Dr Henry Bulley, the Head of the Department, noted that the unit, originally designed for a 50-bed capacity, is now handling over 100 patients each day, with numbers occasionally exceeding this figure.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Bulley explained that the surge is due to an increase in both trauma and non-trauma cases. These include strokes, sudden loss of consciousness, severe diabetic complications, kidney diseases, domestic injuries, and road traffic crashes. He highlighted that most emergency cases, except for women in labor and children with non-trauma medical conditions, are being referred to the department.
Dr Bulley expressed particular concern over the rising medical emergencies. "Previously, adults with malaria would simply visit clinics with fever, headaches, and body pains, get tested, treated, and go home. Now they are arriving unconscious, and many also present with severe kidney injuries," he stated. The exact causes of this trend remain unidentified, but Dr Bulley emphasized the need for further scientific investigation to understand the underlying factors.
He questioned whether illegal mining activities might be contributing to the issue, noting that the cases are not limited to Accra. "Even the food we eat and the water we drink come from different parts of the country. It is something that should be studied properly before conclusions are drawn," he added.
Dr Bulley also raised concerns about the increasing number of road traffic accident cases treated at the hospital. Departmental data revealed that emergency attendances in the first half of recent years have remained high, with a noticeable upward trend in road traffic cases. The department attended to 7,781 emergency patients by the end of June 2026, compared to 7,108 in 2025, 7,910 in 2024, and 7,362 in 2023. Road traffic accident cases accounted for 7.11% of this year's attendances, a rise from previous years.
Despite the increase in accident cases, improvements in emergency care have led to a reduction in the proportion of deaths among accident victims. Data showed that 10 accident-related deaths were recorded by the end of June this year, with a mortality rate of 1.81%, compared to seven deaths (1.85%) in 2025. The department recorded 12 deaths (3.26%) in 2024 and seven deaths (1.82%) in 2023. Dr Bulley credited these improved outcomes to the increased availability of emergency physicians and specialized emergency nurses, which have enhanced the department's ability to stabilize critically injured patients and improve survival rates.
He identified festive periods, long public holidays, and school vacations as peak times for emergency cases, attributing many crashes during these periods to increased travel, alcohol consumption, substance use, and unsafe driving practices. "We mix celebrations with risky modes of transport. The adrenaline goes up, people consume alcohol and other substances, and unfortunately, we record more accidents during these periods," he noted.
Dr Bulley called for intensified road safety education and preventive measures to reduce injuries and ease pressure on emergency departments across the country.