Ghana Medical Association and KADA Defend KATH CEO Following Ministry of Health Query Over Emergency Unit Congestion

The Komfo Anokye Doctors’ Association (KADA) and the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) have rallied behind Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, the CEO of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), following a formal query from the Ministry of Health. The controversy stems from a recent decision by the hospital's management to temporarily suspend new admissions at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit due to extreme overcrowding. While the Ministry criticized the move as a violation of a presidential directive not to refuse care, medical professionals argue the redirection of patients was a necessary safety measure. The A&E unit, which is designed for a 37-bed capacity, was reportedly struggling to manage nearly 100 patients at the time of the suspension.

KADA has characterized the Ministry’s query as a "knee-jerk" and "reactionary" response that overlooks the dire operational realities faced by frontline staff. According to the association, the decision to redirect patients was not a refusal of care but a strategic move to ensure the safety of those already within the facility. The GMA supported this stance, noting that their internal consultations confirmed that no emergency patient was actually denied care. Instead, measures were implemented to manage the unsustainable pressure on the unit. Both associations expressed concern over the punitive tone of the Ministry’s communication, advocating for constructive dialogue rather than what they described as a lack of supportive leadership during a crisis.

To address the chronic congestion at KATH, medical leaders are calling for urgent systemic reforms and the operationalization of stalled healthcare projects. Dr. Michael Leat, Chairman of KADA, emphasized the need for the government to immediately activate the Afari Military Hospital and the Sewua Government Hospital. These two facilities combined would provide approximately 600 additional beds, significantly alleviating the burden on KATH, which serves as the primary referral hub for the northern half of the country. Doctors highlighted a significant gap in healthcare infrastructure between the Ashanti Region and Greater Accra, arguing that KATH cannot continue to absorb the region's entire emergency load without these auxiliary facilities being opened.

As the KATH emergency center reopens for new admissions, the medical community maintains that the incident should serve as a catalyst for improving the national referral system. The GMA and KADA have pledged to continue collaborating with health authorities to find lasting solutions but insist that sustainable improvements in patient care require infrastructure investment rather than administrative sanctions. The situation remains a critical point of discussion regarding the resilience of Ghana's emergency healthcare system and the government's commitment to completing and resourcing regional hospitals.