The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) is calling for a thorough review of structural weaknesses within Ghana’s healthcare system following the death of 29-year-old Charles Amissah.
President of the Association, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, welcomed ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident but cautioned against blaming individual health professionals without addressing deeper systemic issues.
She stressed that while any proven professional negligence must be corrected, the focus should be on reforming the system rather than punishing frontline workers.
“If there are errors on the part of health professionals, we must use that to rectify the system — not to victimize them,” she emphasized.
The GRNMA president indicated that the Association aligns with concerns raised by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), reiterating that health professionals initially cited in the matter should not be used as scapegoats.
According to her, incidents linked to emergency care challenges are not isolated cases. She pointed to persistent resource constraints, particularly in emergency situations where medical personnel often lack critical equipment, beds, and logistics.
Ofori-Ampofo highlighted the recurring issue of the so-called “no bed syndrome,” describing it as a long-standing problem that has resurfaced repeatedly over the years.
She argued that healthcare workers are frequently placed in difficult situations where they must operate without adequate infrastructure, making optimal care delivery challenging.
The GRNMA is also advocating for urgent investment in digital health systems to improve coordination among health facilities.
Ofori-Ampofo questioned why Ghana has yet to fully integrate digital platforms that link teaching hospitals with regional and district facilities in real time.
She proposed a centralized digital system that would allow hospitals to instantly track bed availability. Under such a system, ambulances transporting emergency patients would be able to confirm available space ahead of arrival, ensuring that beds are prepared in advance.
According to her, leveraging digital solutions would significantly reduce delays in emergency response and prevent avoidable deaths.
The Association maintains that the tragic death of Charles Amissah should serve as a catalyst for comprehensive healthcare reform rather than a moment for assigning blame to individual practitioners.
GRNMA insists that without addressing structural inefficiencies, equipment shortages, and coordination gaps, similar incidents may continue to occur.
Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku