Patient Died After 118 Minutes Across Four Hospitals

A 29-year-old engineer died after a 118-minute journey across four hospitals without receiving definitive medical care. Charles Amissah was involved in a hit-and-run incident on February 6, 2026. An investigative committee found he remained alive throughout multiple transfers but was never stabilized.

The committee, led by Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, tracked Amissah's movement from the accident scene near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Overpass in Accra. The timeline shows repeated attempts to find care failed to properly treat him. This incident highlights critical issues within Ghana's emergency medical response system. It led to a 118-minute period where a life was potentially lost due to coordination and intervention failures.

This case raises broader questions about Ghana's healthcare infrastructure and its readiness for medical emergencies. Public faith in the efficiency and effectiveness of the National Ambulance Service and regional hospitals is being tested. The report's findings about the patient being alive at each point underscores systemic breakdowns rather than an insurmountable medical situation. Such failures can erode confidence in public services, affecting economic productivity through loss of skilled workers.

Professor Akosa stated that the timeline "tells the whole story" of the patient's ordeal. The committee detailed that from the accident at 00:00, the ambulance arrived quickly and reached the Police Hospital within 11 minutes. However, the patient was not stabilized there. He was then moved to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, arriving at 22:58. Following that, another transfer occurred to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he arrived at 23:20. Despite being alive at all these points, no significant intervention happened.

The implications of this report are significant for Ghana's healthcare policy. Decision-makers must urgently address the coordination gaps between emergency services and hospitals. The report also noted a refusal by an ambulance crew to proceed to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) for a final referral. Amissah was pronounced dead around 00:30, about 118 minutes after the initial incident. This event demands a comprehensive review of emergency protocols and hospital capacity planning. Better management of medical resources and staff training is essential to prevent future tragedies and maintain public trust in the healthcare system.