GMA Proposes Dedicated Emergency Care Fund, Urges Government to Tap NHIS and Vehicle Insurance Premiums

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) is demanding a dedicated and sustainable funding mechanism for emergency healthcare to ensure patients receive life-saving treatment without financial barriers, proposing that portions of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and private vehicle insurance premiums be repurposed to finance the fund.

The Association says hospitals must have an assurance of reimbursement for emergency services to prevent patients in critical condition from being denied or delayed treatment because of their inability to pay.

General Secretary of the Association, Dr Richard Salomey, speaking to JoyNews at the end of the GMA's 68th Annual General Conference, said the government must identify a specific funding source to support the proposed arrangement.

He suggested that portions of the NHIS could be repurposed for the fund, while a percentage of private vehicle insurance premiums could also be allocated towards financing emergency treatment.

"Patients who require emergency care must receive the necessary treatment, with hospitals assured that the fund will reimburse them. This will ensure that patients are not burdened with financial barriers when seeking emergency care," he explained.

The GMA says it is open to contributing to discussions on the proposed financing arrangements, leaving the government to determine the most appropriate mechanism. The Association believes dedicated funding will strengthen emergency healthcare delivery by ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent patients from accessing timely and appropriate treatment.

Part of Seven-Point Reform Agenda

The proposal forms part of seven system-wide interventions outlined by the GMA to address persistent gaps in emergency healthcare delivery and tackle the "No Bed Syndrome."

At the same conference, GMA President Professor Ernest Yorke called for the nationwide expansion of the electronic hospital bed management system, supported by dedicated hospital bed management teams with the authority to coordinate patient transfers and ensure the efficient use of available beds.

The Association also wants all health facilities to expand their bed capacity and introduce spillover arrangements to accommodate patients when existing facilities reach capacity. It further called for the implementation of multidisciplinary, hospital-wide patient flow strategies to ensure that patients are directed to the appropriate departments and facilities without unnecessary delays.

Other recommendations include strengthening pre-hospital and emergency care services, particularly ambulance operations, while improving the training of emergency medical technicians; providing district and other hospitals with essential emergency equipment and diagnostic facilities; and investing in continuous training and orientation for healthcare workers.

Professor Yorke added that staff attitudes must also be addressed through fair accountability measures, particularly in cases involving poor treatment of patients.

Background to the No Bed Syndrome

Ghana's "No Bed Syndrome" has been a recurring crisis in the country's healthcare system, with patients — particularly those requiring emergency care — frequently turned away from major hospitals due to bed shortages. The situation has drawn public outrage in recent years, with cases of critically ill patients being transported between multiple facilities in search of available beds.

The electronic bed management system was introduced as a pilot initiative to track bed availability in real time and facilitate patient transfers, but its limited rollout has hindered its effectiveness. The GMA has consistently argued that fragmented interventions will not resolve the crisis, calling instead for a coordinated, well-funded emergency care system.

Ebola Preparedness

Beyond emergency healthcare financing, the GMA urged the government to strengthen Ghana's preparedness against Ebola virus disease following the detection of the Bundibugyo strain in neighbouring Nigeria.

Professor Yorke warned that the development posed a serious public health concern and required Ghana to intensify its surveillance and emergency response measures. The Association called for intensified public education, the designation of quarantine and isolation facilities, improved case management preparedness, stronger disease surveillance within communities, and the proactive allocation of funds to support the country's response in the event of an outbreak.

The GMA also advised the public to maintain good personal hygiene, including regular handwashing with soap under running water, using alcohol-based hand sanitisers and avoiding physical contact with infected persons, dead bodies and potentially contaminated objects. It urged people experiencing symptoms such as high fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, general weakness, vomiting, and unexplained bleeding to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest public health facility.