Korle Bu Teaching Hospital interdicts four staff over alleged refusal to treat accident victim who later died

Management of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has interdicted two medical doctors and two nurses following allegations that they failed to provide emergency care to a 29-year-old accident victim who later died at the facility.

The decision, announced in a statement on Monday (24 February), follows mounting public concern over the death of Charles Amissah, an engineer with Promasidor Ghana Limited.

Hospital authorities said the interdictions form part of standard administrative procedures to allow for an independent probe.

“In line with established administrative procedures, a committee has been constituted to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the unfortunate death of the victim,” management said.

Incident timeline

Amissah sustained severe injuries in a hit-and-run accident near the Circle Overpass on February 6.

Personnel from National Ambulance Service Ghana reportedly arrived quickly, stabilised him and began searching for a hospital to provide urgent treatment.

However, what was expected to be a rapid transfer to emergency care allegedly turned into a prolonged search for a facility willing to admit him.

Sources close to the ambulance team claim he was turned away by the Ghana Police Hospital and the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, both citing bed shortages, before the team proceeded to Korle Bu, Ghana’s main tertiary referral centre.

Upon arrival, paramedics reportedly pleaded with on-duty staff to accept the patient, warning that further transfers could be fatal.

Despite this, staff allegedly declined admission.

Witnesses say Amissah remained in the ambulance bay or within the hospital precincts without receiving definitive care and subsequently went into cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was attempted but unsuccessful. He was later pronounced dead and conveyed to the mortuary.

The ambulance team returned to base in the early hours of February 7.

Hospital response

Korle Bu management said the interdicted officers are suspected of failing in their duty to provide emergency medical care and will step aside while investigations proceed.

“Pending the outcome of the committee’s work, the Board and Management call on all persons connected to the matter to cooperate fully with the committee to ensure a fair and transparent inquiry,” the statement said.

The hospital added that it remains committed to “transparency, accountability and the delivery of quality healthcare services,” promising further updates after the inquiry.

The incident has reignited debate about emergency response protocols and access to trauma care in Accra, particularly the practice of facilities turning away critically injured patients due to capacity constraints.