The death of Charles Amissah is not just a tragedy; it is a profound indictment of a failing system. While any loss of life is regrettable, the realization that this was entirely avoidable makes it an unconscionable crime of negligence.
As a nation with decades of self-rule, we should be boasting of a robust healthcare infrastructure. Instead, we are witnessing the lethal consequences of system failure.
1. The Cost of Political Petulance
Per the expert report by Prof. Agyekum Badu Akosa and his team, an effective Bed Management Network would have likely saved Mr. Amissah. We had a system that achieved nearly 80% national coverage, housing over eight years of patient records. Yet, due to the toxic culture of “canceling inherited projects” for political optics and “chop chop”,that progress was scrapped.
We must ask the Ministry: What has our healthcare system gained from this retrogression? While they seek new contracts, the Ghanaian people are losing their lives.
2. The Erosion of the Ambulance Service
What has happened to our EMTs? You inherited over 300 ambulances and a trained workforce of thousands. Today, we see a service run aground.
Why are our EMTs no longer receiving Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) training?
How can a Ministry of Health justify scapegoating frontline staff when the leadership has failed to provide the basic tools for survival?
Administration of intravenous fluids in ambulance during transportation could’ve avoided the death of Charles Amissah- Prof Akosa report.
When the policy direction is Abobolance, then the system is in trouble.
3. Stop Scapegoating Our Doctors
It is cowardly to blame overworked, underpaid Medical Officers for a “death trap” system they didn’t create.
- Our doctors are treating patients in corridors.
- “Improvisation” has become the standard operating procedure due to a lack of resources.
- Fresh Medical Officers and thousands of nurses are sitting at home unemployed while the patient-to-doctor ratio remains dangerously high even at Ridge, Police Hospital and Korle Bu.
To the politician enjoying the trappings of being a parliamentarian, with an army of staff to cater for your every whim: Do not lecture a tired young doctor on a “crazy” night shift about a referral they innocently made that has lead to a loss of an innocent life, their hearts are already burdened by the “had I known” menace.
Your policies have ensured that finding a bed to refer to is like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. No doctor finds joy in losing a patient. None. No one refers with malice.
4. Our Demand for Accountability
We don’t need “chop chop” contracts; we need functioning hospitals. We have completed and near-complete facilities rotting away while the Ministry plays politics with human lives.
Employ the doctors. Employ the nurses. Reinstate the national healthcare database. Restore the Bed Management System. Work was started on a national ambulance network database, what is the progress?
Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with the family of Charles Amissah. No family should ever have to endure a loss like this. We will not stop demanding a system that values life over politics.
The writer, Dr Ekua Amoakoh, is the Deputy Spokesperson to Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
Disclaimer: This opinion piece reflects the personal views of the author and does not represent the editorial stance of starrfm.com.gh.
