Charles Amissah’s tragic death: Never again!

The unfortunate circumstances that led to the death of Charles Amissah, the 29-year-old victim of the hit-and-run incident, this month has once again pushed to the fore the status of Ghana’s healthcare delivery system.

It is a loss that awakens the country to the reality of its present circumstances, issues about human attitude, rigidity of and adherence to control systems, professional conduct, ethical standards and value system.

Mr Amissah’s demise, like many that have thrown the country into mournful lamentations, was premised on the no-bed syndrome, a convenient code in medical service that conveys the message of the absence of critical infrastructure for the care of patients and care seekers.

In this case, three of the more endowed health facilities, namely the Police Hospital, the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, declined care for the young engineer who had been hit by a vehicle while riding on his motorbike from work on February 6, 2026.

The public outrage that followed the news of the treatment of Mr Amissah by healthcare facilities and professionals whose calling is to serve humanity is proof of the nation’s united spirit against actions that undermine the very basis of humanity.

It is trite knowledge that the country’s health care infrastructure is constrained.

Underfunding has left hospitals and health centres in need of critical equipment, while doctors, nurses, midwives, anaesthetists, lab technicians and other critical health professionals are never in adequate supply.

Yet, under these trying conditions, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and their sub-agencies and industry professionals have sustained the health of the nation with brave efforts that have largely defied their challenged surroundings.

They have delivered millions of babies, essentially sustaining life, performed critical surgeries, including corrective procedures, brain, liver and heart operations, transplants and other delicate procedures.

But these heroic accomplishments fade easily in the face of inconsiderate attitude that ednd a life.

It is the umpteenth accusation against Ghanaian health professionals of unprofessional conduct that ultimately eliminates a life.

Like everyone else, medical professionals  also require healthcare services at one point in time.

After all, they are more exposed to the risk of transmissions of health conditions due to their proximity to patients.

These professionals have received the support of the public in their agitations for salaries and allowances commensurate with their sacrifices, employment issues and other emoluments that affect their service.

To turn a patient away and leave him bleeding to death is the height of neglect that undermines the Hippocratic Oath.

For the moment, the Daily Graphic is in full support of the institution of a probe into the whole affair in order to deal with a situation that has bedevilled the system for far too many times.

Allegations of medical neglect, inhumane treatment, and even bribery for medical services have largely remained whispers in the rumour mill. Few people would openly offer to sacrifice their future visit for medical help with an open criticism of a system almost everyone complains about.

The Board Chair of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Member of Parliament for Lambussie, Prof. Titus Beyuo, himself a medical doctor, showed the boldest face by describing on the floor of Parliament last Tuesday how he had intervened to find bed for acquaintances at medical facilities when relatives of those acquaintances had been denied service on the excuse of “there is no bed”.

While we await the outcome of the investigation, we take note of the explanation by the Health Services Workers Union of the Trade Union Congress that it is unjust to single out front-line workers in the two recent "distressing incidents" in the health sector.

It is their contention that health workers operate within clearly defined administrative, legal and institutional frameworks, while triage decisions, admissions, emergency stabilisation and referrals are guided by established protocols set by management and regulatory authorities.

This is why the probe is even more needed to correct perhaps backward administrative and professional procedures to get the best from our professionals.