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Be cautious in attempts to rescue accident victims – Ambulance Service advises public

The Ashanti Regional Manager of the National Ambulance Service, Paemt Sommik Duut Miilon, is admonishing the public to exercise restraint and care when responding to accident victims.

He says the well-meaning gesture to respond swiftly and save victims of carnage could sometimes rather cause more harm than good.

“When it comes to priorities, we look at Road Traffic Accidents (RTA). We prioritize accidents because at the point in time, those people need immediate attention. Sometimes people end up dying, not because of the injuries that occur to them but because of the way they are handled, by bystanders and all,” he said.

Speaking on Luv FM, Mr. Miilon observed that attempts by the public to help crash victims before emergency personnel arrive could worsen injuries and cause fatal consequences.

“In Ghana, we always want to help. Immediately when accidents happen, people try to step in. But some people are better left just the way they are for professionals to get there, because when you have someone who’s trapped in a car, and you pull the person out, if the person can survive probably like 30 to 45 minutes, immediately you pull them out, they may end up having just like 5 minutes,” he said.

He offered life-saving tips for people who find themselves at accident scenes and insist on helping, urging the public to avoid certain critical mistakes.

“What mostly kills is bleeding. Either internal or external, so if it is either the hands or the legs that is affected, and the person is bleeding profusely and not trapped, you can get any cloth and put it on it.

“If it is an amputation, you’ll get a rope that can tie the amputation to restrict the blood from coming out. When something is stuck in somebody, please don’t remove it. When someone is stuck in a car, you don’t pull the person out, you wait for the fire service to get there and move the person safely,” he stated.

He further cautioned the public to desist from prank calls and rather use emergency lines responsibly to ensure immediate emergency response to save lives.

Hearse operators abusing sirens should be arrested and prosecuted – Ambulance Service

The Ghana National Ambulance Service (GNAS) is alarmed by the rampant abuse of the emergency sirens by some motorists, particularly hearse operators and individuals who employ the services of a motorcade for easy movements within traffic jams.

The Service is distraught about the challenges the siren misuse is posing in the discharge of their duties as some motorists tend to refuse them road access during emergency situations.

Speaking on Luv FM, Ashanti Regional Manager of the Ambulance Service, Paemt Sommik Duut Miilon raised concerns about the growing challenge EMS teams face in navigating traffic.

He cited the common practice of hearse operators abusing sirens, which contribute to delays in response time, despite not being medical emergencies.

“On Fridays and Saturdays, you see the hearse operators on the roads. There’s no emergency for dead bodies, so those people need to be arrested by police and prosecuted,” he said.

Mr. Duut Miilon urged road users to give way swiftly, stressing that delays often occur due to the traffic congestion caused by unauthorized use of the sirens.

He called for enforcement, urging authorities to militate against the misuse of sirens and prioritize the free passage of legitimate emergency vehicles.

While the standard international response time for medical emergencies is approximately 8 minutes with some places achieving as low as 5 minutes, the Ashanti Region’s average currently stands at 17 minutes.

This, Mr. Duut clarified, is not due to a lack of ambulances or their non-readiness, but largely because some patients’ request transfers between hospitals and prank calls.

“Ghana’s EMS professionals are equipped and ready but they can only save lives if the public stops misusing emergency lines and starts responding responsibly. Prank calls aren’t just annoying they’re deadly distractions,” he noted.

Mr. Duut highlighted the sheer number of prank calls flooding their dispatch center daily with at least 200 calls from individuals who phone in to make unnecessary demands.

The worrying situation often thwarts the service from offering the needed help to genuine calls.

“We have the 112 which is the emergency line for Ghana but we can get over 200 to 300 pranked calls, the line doesn’t rest. These aren’t harmless jokes. They range from insults to nonsensical requests like airtime, all of which choke the lifeline meant for real emergencies,” he said.

Compassion over wealth: Alhaji Agongo fulfills GH¢500,000 pledge to Ghana Medical Trust Fund

Last week, under the warm Accra sun, businessman Seidu Agongo stood before officials at the Ministry of Health, his eyes reflecting both determination and compassion as he presented a check for GH¢500,000 to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.

The presentation was on behalf of Alive Industries, redeeming a pledge Alhaji Agongo, its founder and head made during the launch of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund by President John Dramani Mahama.

In a country where the monthly minimum wage hovers around GH¢450, imagine facing medical bills of GH¢8,400 every month just to stay alive.

This is the crushing reality for thousands of Ghanaians suffering from kidney failure, a silent epidemic claiming lives not just through disease, but through financial impossibility.

“I see their faces every day,” Alhaji Agongo told the media, his voice steady but emotional. “Mothers who sell everything they own for one more treatment. Fathers, who must choose between feeding their children and staying alive to raise them.”

“These are the impossible choices no Ghanaian should have to make,” the businessman said, highlighting his closeness with the critical survival situations that drew him into making the donation.

As the owner of a dialysis centre, the founder of the collapsed Heritage Bank said he has witnessed firsthand the devastating arithmetic of kidney disease in Ghana.  

Each dialysis session costs approximately GH¢800, with most patients requiring three sessions weekly—totaling about GH¢8,400 monthly or roughly $800 in a country where average monthly income averages $750, according to the Global Payroll Association.

More than half of the working class earn less than that, according to the association.

“In a developing country where people hardly get food to eat, this is a significant strain,” Alhaji Agongo explained, surveying the room of health officials and journalists during the donation.

“That’s nearly 20 times the minimum wage. How can we expect our people to bear this?” he asked to deafening silence.

Bolster hope, securing lives

Alhaji Agongo’s donation is expected to bolster the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, an initiative launched under President Mahama and nicknamed “Mahama Cares.”

The programme specifically targets those most vulnerable: the impoverished, unemployed, elderly, and those without support systems.

The Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, visibly moved during the ceremony, emphasised that the donation transcends corporate social responsibility.

“This is about Ghanaians standing for Ghanaians,” he stated. “Alhaji Agongo demonstrates what we all must aspire to— seeing the suffering of our neighbours and responding not because we have much, but because we care deeply.”

Alhaji Agongo, who also owns Agricult, an agricultural-focused company, stressed that his motivation stems from understanding the connection between public health and national prosperity.

“As a businessman, my success means nothing in a society where people die from treatable conditions,” he said.

“My business only flourishes in a healthy environment. We all need access to proper healthcare—not as a luxury, but as a fundamental right,” he added.

Challenging Ghanaians

Alhaji Agongo offered a challenge to fellow Ghanaians to help support each other to make life better.

“This is not about wealth—it’s about compassion. It is not because I have, but because I care. Together, let’s continue to lift others and be the reason someone gets another chance at life.”

Alhaji Agongo has donated to thousands of people across the country, including building a block for the Child Emergency Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Laboratory professionals petition chief of staff over recruitment discrimination

The Medical Laboratory Professional Workers Union (MELPWU) has petitioned the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, over what it describes as systemic recruitment discrimination against medical laboratory and allied health professionals.

In a vehement petition signed by the MELPWU General Secretary, Dr Cephas Kofi Akortor, the group laments the government’s persistent failure to grant financial clearance for the employment of about 3000 qualified but unemployed medical laboratory and allied health graduates, a situation that has persisted since 2019.

Meanwhile, management of public health facilities engages the services of these individuals on a casual basis and pays them from internally generated funds.

Despite repeated appeals and the well-known shortage of medical laboratory professionals across the country’s health facilities, the union notes that no financial clearance has been granted for its members in six years.

Meanwhile, other health professional groups, including nurses, medical and dental officers, it said, continue to benefit from mass recruitment exercises.

“On May 13, 2025, the Ministry of Health issued a circular for the recruitment of medical and dental officers, yet again excluding medical laboratory officers,” the petition stated, adding that “this ongoing marginalisation of our members is not only unjust but gravely undermines the critical role we play in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention”.

According to MELPWU, medical laboratory professionals currently form the largest group of health workers engaged under Internally Generated Funds (IGF) across public hospitals in Ghana, a situation that subjects them to insecure and poorly remunerated conditions, devoid of job security and pension benefits.

The petition further highlights that despite assurances from the government following a nationwide strike in June 2024, including a commitment to process financial clearance for 19,351 allied health professionals, no concrete feedback or action has been taken by the Employer.

“This silence has only deepened the frustration and agitation among our members and the thousands of qualified professionals languishing in unemployment,” the petition stated.

“We are witnessing the creation of a class of overworked, underpaid, and unrecognised health professionals, whose contributions are being exploited under precarious conditions”.

Efforts by the union to engage key stakeholders, particularly the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, have not yielded results.

They are yet to receive a response to the latest letter addressed to the Minister of Health on April 7, 2025.

The union is demanding two key actions from the government: Immediate financial clearance and permanent posting of qualified but non-mechanised medical laboratory and allied health professionals, particularly all the staff currently working under IGF arrangements; and a clear, time-bound recruitment roadmap that ensures equity and regular employment opportunities for medical laboratory and allied health professionals, in line with the other health sector professions experiencing near-zero unemployment.

The petition warns that failure to act on these demands will leave the union with no option but to resort to legitimate industrial action.

“The allied health community is no longer merely pleading for jobs; we are demanding fairness, equity, and justice,” the petition concluded.

PNP raises alarm over the state of NHIA, calls for urgent intervention

The People’s National Party (PNP) has raised issues on the current state of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), decrying what it describes as being on the verge of collapse.

According to the party, the current state of the scheme dangerously mirrors the discredited “cash-and-carry” era it was designed to eliminate.

In a statement issued by PNP leader and founder, Janet Asana Nabla, the party lamented that the original vision of the NHIS, championed by renowned physician and politician Dr Edward Nasigrie Mahama, has been eroded under successive administrations.

“The NHIA was the brainchild of Dr Edward Nasigrie Mahama, who left his post at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to pursue political leadership with a mission to abolish the cruel cash-and-carry system that was killing thousands of poor Ghanaians. Although Dr Mahama did not become President, his proposal was adopted by successive governments and implemented for the benefit of all Ghanaians. Today, that legacy is being dismantled,” the statement read.

Citing a recent personal ordeal, Ms Nabla claimed that her cousin was charged GHS 1,636.40 at a government hospital for pharmaceuticals, laboratory tests, and basic consumables, despite being a valid NHIS cardholder.

She maintained that this is not an isolated incident but a reflection of a broader systemic failure that continues to inflict hardship on ordinary citizens.

Key demands and recommendations

The PNP is demanding that the government, through the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Authority, publicly acknowledge the current status of the NHIA as a co-payment system. The party is also calling for swift remedial action, including:

• Restoring the NHIA to its original purpose of providing genuinely free and accessible healthcare.
• Supplying public hospitals and health centres with essential logistics and medical resources.
• Eliminating all out-of-pocket payments for services covered under the NHIA.
• Investigating the causes of co-payment practices and ensuring accountability across the board.

The party proposed a set of structural reforms to enhance the sustainability of the scheme, including:

• An immediate review of NHIA tariffs to reflect current market prices, thereby curbing the emergence of illegal charges.
• The introduction of dedicated sin taxes on alcohol and tobacco products to generate additional revenue for the NHIA.
• Full, direct, and prompt transfer of the 2.5% NHIA levy into the scheme’s account, in accordance with Dr Mahama’s original policy prescription.
• Reducing the reimbursement window for healthcare service providers from three months to one month, to prevent illicit charges and operational paralysis at public facilities.

A call to action

“The current trajectory of the NHIA endangers lives and violates the social contract between government and citizens,” the PNP warned. “We call on the government to act swiftly and decisively to restore dignity, trust, and equity to Ghana’s healthcare system.”

Mahama announces plans to upgrade Greater Accra Regional Hospital to Teaching Hospital

President John Dramani Mahama has announced the government’s plans to upgrade the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) into a full-fledged Teaching Hospital.

According to him, this primarily aims to enhance both medical training and healthcare services

“We will also construct Ridge Hospital Phase Two, which will increase the capacity of that hospital as a teaching hospital in Greater Accra Regional Hospital,” President Mahama stated.

He made these remarks at a durbar of the Chiefs and People of the Greater Accra Region at Dodowa during his National “Thank You Tour” of the region.

The “Thank You Tour” is to enable the President to express gratitude to the Chiefs and People of the Greater Accra Region and Ghanaians, for their massive support for him and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 general election.

The President stated that the Greater Accra Regional (the Ridge Hospital) would also have an affiliation to the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.

This, he said, would enhance specialist training and reduce referrals outside the region.

He said the government would expand Chip Compounds in peri-urban communities like Bortianor, Kpone, Shai Osu-Doku to ensure that primary healthcare is accessible and reliable.

President Mahama added that existing CHPS Compounds and all new CHPS Compounds they would build; they were going to include accommodation for the health workers.

GHS takes measures to check Mpox outbreak

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has initiated contact tracing efforts to identify individuals who might have come into contact with the two confirmed cases of Monkeypox (Mpox) earlier reported in the Accra Metropolitan Area.

It said those contacts would be monitored for symptoms and provided with the appropriate care and guidance.

These formed part of the necessary public health measures the GHS was swiftly and effectively implementing to contain the spread of the virus after two such cases were confirmed in the country last Thursday

These were contained in a press release issued by the acting Director-General of the GHS, Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, on May 15, announcing the confirmation of two cases of Mpox in Accra.

Mpox is a viral disease that is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal or with material contaminated with the virus.

Symptoms typically include rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

Ghana recorded its first case of Mpox in June 2022 with five cases. Since the beginning of 2022, Ghana recorded 116 confirmed cases of Mpox with four confirmed deaths. By the latter part of that year, Ghana reported nine new confirmed cases, with no new deaths.

The release said the service was enhancing surveillance in health facilities and communities to ensure that any further suspected cases were identified and investigated promptly.

“The Ministry of Health and the service are also intensifying public awareness campaigns to educate the populace about Mpox, including its symptoms, modes of transmission, and preventive measures.

“The government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, is committed to protecting the health and well-being of all citizens and residents,” it addeid.

It assured the public that there was no cause for alarm, emphasising that it had the capacity and the expertise to manage the current situation and prevent a larger outbreak.

It maintained that Ghana’s public health system remained vigilant and that established protocols for the detection, management and control of infectious diseases were being rigorously followed.

The GHS, however, urged the public to practise good hand hygiene, avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms such as rash, and immediately report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility.

GAF commanders pledge entire month’s salary to Mahama Cares Fund

Service Commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces (GFA) have donated their one-month basic salary to support the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, widely known as Mahama Cares.

The contribution is aimed at bolstering national efforts to provide medical relief for vulnerable Ghanaians battling serious health conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, chronic kidney failure, and other life-threatening ailments.

During a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama on Friday, May 16, the Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General William Agyapong, spoke on behalf of the military leadership, underscoring the importance of the fund in easing the burden on citizens facing critical health challenges.

“We are intrigued, and it is heartwarming to know that persons with conditions such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney failure, stroke, among many others, will equally benefit from this fund. Your Excellency, that is why my military command and I have decided to contribute our one-month basic salary to the fund,” he said.

President Mahama, who is leading the Mahama Cares initiative, expressed gratitude for what he described as a remarkable show of patriotism and compassion by the Armed Forces.

“Let me take this opportunity to thank our high command for this initiative. It shows that aside from your primary responsibility of protecting our territorial boundaries and wielding weapons, you have a heart and soul beating in your chest.

• Read also: President Mahama to donate six months of his salary to Ghana Medical Trust Fund

“You have love for the country and love for the people you are protecting. On behalf of the people of Ghana, I thank you for this,” he said.

The Mahama Cares aims to provide dedicated financial support to individuals suffering from chronic and debilitating illnesses.

The initiative is designed to ensure fairness in healthcare access, particularly for those facing financial barriers to treatment.

The Hidden Jewel: Unveiling the True Strength of Ghana’s Healthcare System

“Jewels shine brighter in impoverished conditions” is a statement that captures the resilience and strength of physicians in Ghana. Charged with the demanding responsibility of delivering meaningful patient care amidst adversity, these professionals strive to use their skills to help as many people as possible, without compromising their own financial well-being. Yet, in a low-resource setting, this balance is difficult to achieve and often feels insurmountable.

The authors recall moments from medical school when students could not fully grasp the daily struggles patients face, nor appreciate the silent burdens carried by their senior colleagues, the frustrations, the limitations, and the quiet longing for better systems that could truly enhance their impact in our setting.

Then life came full circle, and they found themselves in the same shoes, struggling with the very inequities they had once observed from a distance. Working at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital as a medical officer, the honour of serving at such a revered institution was overshadowed by a harsh reality: the salary alone was not enough to sustain a decent livelihood, let alone reflect the dignity of the role.

Like many others, they were forced to take on additional work at other private hospitals, juggling long hours simply to meet the expectations of society.

But it was not just the financial strain that weighed on them. It was the emotional toll, the stories behind the eyes of their patients. They looked at us as gods, all-knowing, all-powerful, the final stop in their journey of pain and uncertainty. And yet, too often, we felt powerless. Referring patients to other facilities, only to have them face the infamous “no bed syndrome,” or watch them suffer because we lacked the life-saving devices needed in emergencies, it was heart-wrenching. These were not just statistics. These were human lives. Families. Dreams abruptly ended.

We went home many nights heavy with sorrow, haunted by what could have been done, what should have been possible, if only we had the tools. But when things go wrong, it is often the doctors who are remembered, not the circumstances that failed us all.

When we transitioned to further our education abroad, in a country where healthcare infrastructure is far more robust, the contrast was jarring. Patients there are offered an array of confirmatory tests and options.

Clinicians operate in systems that empower rather than limit them. And for the first time, we saw what was possible when care is supported by resources. This journey has changed us, not just as doctors, but as people. It has deepened our empathy, sharpened our resolve, and stirred a quiet determination to be part of a change that our healthcare system so desperately needs.

Today, we pause to reflect on the incredible journey of Ghana’s healthcare system, a story shaped by resilience, innovation, and the relentless dedication of those who serve within it. With limited funding and resources, our health professionals, often unsung heroes, have gone above and beyond to care for over 33 million people. From using plastic bottles for CPAP machines to improvising with kerosene lanterns during deliveries, they have shown what true innovation looks like in the face of adversity.

At the heart of this transformation lies a shift toward sustainable, locally driven solutions. Ghana’s move away from the old “cash and carry” system and toward the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) marked a turning point in reducing financial barriers to care.

Though challenges remain, especially in enrolling the most vulnerable, this system laid a foundation for broader access to healthcare. Decentralization has further empowered local health teams to prioritize, design, and implement interventions tailored to their communities.

The Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) initiative has brought healthcare directly to the doorsteps of rural Ghanaians, ensuring no one is left behind. Walk-in access to care, without the burden of long wait times, has made early detection and treatment more accessible than in many higher-income countries.

The introduction of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in Ghana has become a beacon of evidence-based policymaking in Africa. From childhood cancers to COVID-19, HTA has supported smarter investment in high-impact health interventions, helping leaders make better use of scarce resources.

Still, disparities persist. Uneven resource distribution, limited infrastructure, and the digital divide threaten progress. To close these gaps, investment in local capacity, digital health tools, and solar-powered CHPS compounds must be accelerated. Ghana can also learn from global best practices, drawing inspiration from nations like the UK and the Netherlands, where tax-based or compulsory insurance systems have made healthcare affordable and accessible for the majority.

But above all, we must recognize the human spirit behind this evolution. From physicians to nurses to community health workers, these are the hidden jewels of our health system. Their sacrifices and ingenuity sustain us, and their stories light the path forward.

In honouring them, we honour our future and commit to building a healthcare system worthy of the people it serves.

About the Authors:

Dr. Denise Eke Chukwu is a dedicated clinician with over six years of impactful service in both the public and private healthcare sectors in Ghana. She has transformed lives through her work in remote, underserved communities. Currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, she is specializing in Health Leadership and Management. With additional certifications in Humanitarian Health, Health Finance and Management, and Leadership in Public Health, Dr. Eke Chukwu continues to drive systemic change, championing equitable access to healthcare across the nation.

Dr. Simon Egyin is a general physician from Ghana and a Master of Public Health student at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. With a strong passion for genetics and cancer research, Dr. Egyin has also explored the field of Health Security. He is deeply committed to serving underserved communities and improving healthcare systems worldwide.

Nicemode Charles is from Morogoro, Tanzania, and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Economics from Agnes Scott College. Nicemode is passionate about improving access to innovative therapies for patients in underserved communities by using multidisciplinary, evidence-based approaches that incorporate the lived experiences of patients. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, dancing, and exploring new cities.

Dr. Yvonne Appau Mensah is a General Practitioner and a current Master of Public Health student at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. With extensive clinical experience in both public and private healthcare settings in Ghana, she has developed a deep understanding of the challenges posed by infectious diseases in resource-limited environments. Her academic pursuits are driven by a strong commitment to advancing evidence-based strategies for disease prevention, outbreak response, and health equity. Dr. Mensah is particularly interested in leveraging epidemiological research and data-driven interventions to address global health challenges, especially those affecting underserved populations.

Dr. Albert Ekow Orhin is a trained physician from Ghana who is currently pursuing a master degree in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He has spent most of his clinical career in the Medical Intensive Care Unit, where he led and contributed to quality improvement initiatives aimed at reducing preventable harm, enhancing sepsis care, and strengthening care coordination. His career goal is to become a physician-scientist specializing in infectious diseases, combining clinical care with research to drive innovations in patient outcomes and health systems improvement, particularly for underserved populations.