The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has expressed concern over a query issued to the Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), saying the action appears to create a false impression that management acted improperly during the recent congestion at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) Centre.

In a statement issued on Thursday, 4 June 2026, the Association said its assessment of the situation does not support claims that emergency patients were turned away by the hospital.

According to the GMA, engagements with KATH management, discussions with staff at the A&E Centre, and a review of public explanations provided by the hospital’s Medical Director indicate that the temporary measures introduced were aimed at managing severe congestion and ensuring patient safety.

The Association said the measures were intended to facilitate the appropriate redistribution of patients to peripheral health facilities within the Ashanti Region while the hospital addressed capacity constraints at its emergency centre.

It further noted that minutes from a meeting convened by the Regional Health Directorate on 2 June 2026 showed that deliberate and coordinated actions had been agreed upon to ease pressure on the facility.

The GMA stated that the congestion resulted from patient numbers exceeding the designed capacity of the emergency centre, creating the need for urgent operational interventions to maintain quality care for critically ill patients already receiving treatment.

The Association also indicated that the situation at the A&E Centre has since improved significantly.

While acknowledging that the immediate crisis appears to have been resolved, the GMA said the incident has exposed wider challenges within Ghana’s emergency healthcare system.

It called for increased investment in emergency medicine infrastructure, expansion of emergency care facilities, stronger referral systems, and improved resourcing of regional and district hospitals to enable them to manage emergency cases closer to patients’ communities.

According to the Association, strengthening emergency care capacity across all levels of the healthcare system would help reduce pressure on major referral hospitals and improve patient outcomes nationwide.

The GMA also commended doctors, nurses, emergency medicine specialists, and other healthcare workers at KATH and across the Ashanti Region for maintaining services under difficult conditions.

However, the Association expressed concern over the query issued to the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, arguing that it portrays management in a negative light despite efforts made to address the congestion crisis.

The GMA said it hopes ongoing engagements between the KATH Chief Executive Officer and the Minister for Health will focus on strengthening emergency healthcare delivery and addressing the systemic challenges highlighted by the incident.

The Association added that it will continue to monitor developments and remains committed to supporting policies and interventions that improve healthcare delivery and patient safety across the country.

GMA defends KATH management, questions query over emergency congestion

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