The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has responded to public concerns surrounding recent congestion at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), stating that no emergency patient was denied care despite measures introduced to manage the situation.

In a statement, the Association said it had consulted hospital management, frontline health workers, and reviewed reports from KATH authorities and the regional health administration following widespread discussion about the incident.

According to the GMA, the temporary measures implemented were aimed at reducing pressure on the hospital’s emergency unit by directing some patients to other healthcare facilities within the Ashanti Region.

The Association explained that KATH was operating beyond its intended capacity at the time, necessitating urgent interventions to sustain healthcare delivery and ensure patients already receiving treatment continued to access critical services.

The GMA noted that decisions taken to address the congestion were in line with resolutions reached during a meeting convened by the Regional Health Directorate on June 2, 2026, where stakeholders agreed on coordinated actions to ease the burden on the facility.

It added that conditions at the Accident and Emergency Unit have since improved, with the situation now under control.

Despite the improvement, the Association stressed that the incident highlights longstanding challenges within Ghana’s emergency healthcare system and underscores the need for comprehensive reforms.

The GMA called for increased investment in emergency health infrastructure, strengthened referral mechanisms, and enhanced capacity at district and regional hospitals to enable patients to receive quality care closer to their communities.

“Every Ghanaian deserves prompt access to quality emergency healthcare, regardless of their location,” the Association stated.

The GMA also commended healthcare professionals at KATH and across the Ashanti Region for their dedication and resilience in managing patients under difficult circumstances.

However, it expressed concern over the wording of a query issued to the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, suggesting that the tone appeared to imply misconduct on the part of management.

The Association expressed optimism that ongoing engagements between the Minister of Health and KATH leadership would result in meaningful improvements to emergency healthcare delivery rather than punitive measures.