Former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service and former Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, says the death of engineer Charles Amissah points to deeper problems within Ghana’s healthcare system rather than the mistake of one individual or facility.
His remarks follow the release of an official investigative report into the young engineer’s death, a case that has sparked widespread public concern across the country.
The report concluded that the 29-year-old did not die from the injuries he sustained in the accident itself.
Instead, investigators found that delayed emergency treatment and medical neglect at several referral hospitals contributed to his death.
According to the findings, Mr Amissah remained alive and could have been treated as he was transferred between major health facilities.
However, he reportedly failed to receive the urgent medical attention he needed in time.
The incident has once again raised concerns about emergency healthcare delivery in Ghana and renewed public discussions around the long-criticised issue often referred to as the “no-bed syndrome”.
Dr. Nsiah-Asare explained that many patients remain stranded in emergency wards because of challenges within the healthcare system, including administrative delays and unpaid hospital bills.
“I still insist that there is nothing like no bed syndrome… It is a whole systems failure. The system killed him,” he stated while extending his condolences to the bereaved family.
