Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has announced plans to introduce round‑the‑clock outpatient services at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), underscoring government efforts to enhance continuous patient care and ease pressure on the country’s premier referral facility.
The initiative comes after a recent working visit by the minister, prompted in part by concerns circulating on social media about congestion at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department. While management has dismissed claims that patients were lying on the floor, the visit highlighted significant demand on services and the need for systemic improvements.
Under the plan, Out‑Patient Department (OPD) operations — currently limited to core hours — will be expanded to cover 24 hours daily, ensuring patients can access care at all times without having to wait for peak‑time service windows. The Health Minister emphasised that the change is aimed at reducing delays in treatment and strengthening the coordination of care across departments.
To support the transition, authorities also intend to establish an IT‑based command centre to improve real‑time patient referrals and direct cases to facilities with available capacity, helping to manage congestion more effectively.
Korle Bu’s Chief Executive Officer, Yakubu Seidu Adam, noted that full implementation of 24‑hour services will be phased in, as infrastructure, staffing and systems are strengthened. Government plans include expanded bed capacity and new facilities, such as an enlarged maternity block, to boost overall service delivery.
The reforms are part of broader efforts to modernise healthcare delivery in Ghana, improving patient outcomes and reducing bottlenecks at key tertiary institutions.
