The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called for the urgent establishment of a national emergency command centre to coordinate healthcare responses, following concerns over congestion at the Accident and Emergency Centre of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

The association said such a центраlised system would enable real-time tracking of bed availability, ambulance deployment, referral outcomes and emergency room congestion, helping to improve coordination and response during medical emergencies.

The call comes in the wake of an overcrowding incident at the Korle Bu emergency unit, where patients were reportedly managed on chairs and on the floor during a surge in admissions. The GMA noted that such situations are not unique to the facility but occur periodically across health institutions when demand exceeds capacity.

According to the association, gaps in coordination and capacity management contribute significantly to these challenges, making a strong case for a national-level system to oversee emergency preparedness and response.

Beyond the proposed command centre, the GMA outlined additional measures to strengthen the health system’s ability to manage surges. These include the introduction of digitised bed management systems within hospitals, improved clinical decision-making to ensure timely transfers, and enhanced collaboration among key institutions such as the Ghana Health Service, mission hospitals, and private healthcare providers.

The Association also emphasised the need to strengthen nearby facilities, including Ussher Hospital, Mamprobi Polyclinicand Kaneshie Polyclinic, to help absorb patient spillovers from major referral centres.

It further recommended improved coordination between referring facilities and the National Ambulance Service before patient arrivals, as well as the introduction of a back-referral system for stable patients to continue care at appropriate facilities.

The GMA has also called for an urgent inter-agency meeting involving stakeholders, including the Ghana Health Service, the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), the National Health Insurance Authority, private healthcare providers and professional associations, to develop sustainable solutions.

In the long term, the association stressed the need to equip and resource district and regional hospitals to manage more cases locally, thereby reducing pressure on tertiary facilities.

The GMA reiterated its readiness to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to strengthen emergency preparedness and ensure timely and safe care across the country’s health system.