Better coordination can end ‘no-bed syndrome’ – Deputy Health Minister

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has challenged the perception that Ghana's persistent "no-bed syndrome" is primarily the result of inadequate hospital infrastructure, arguing instead that the underlying problem is ineffective management and coordination of available beds across health facilities.

Dr Ayensu-Danquah said improving bed management through technology and better information sharing would help ensure that patients receive timely care, optimise the use of existing hospital infrastructure and reduce complaints associated with the no-bed syndrome.

Appearing before Parliament's Economy and Development Committee, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, said current data available to the ministry indicates that hospital bed occupancy nationwide is about 60 per cent, suggesting that a significant number of beds remain unoccupied.