Bolgatanga Regional Hospital faces acute congestion

Authorities at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital for the last six weeks have been battling with congestion to the extent that people are admitted at the main OPD to receive medical treatment.

The unfortunate situation coupled with the uneven nature of patient-to-bed ratio has compelled some patients to receive drips on the floor and benches.

The worst hit is the children’s ward, which now accommodates between 60-70 babies as against 41 beds.

The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Peter Bafour, who confirmed this to Radio Ghana's Isaac Asare, said though congestion at the facility has been an annual recurring issue, the current situation has been overwhelming considering the high number of people that visit the hospital on a daily basis.

He admitted that patients are sometimes kept at the emergency treatment room at the OPD beyond 24 hours due to shortage of beds at the main and emergency wards.

Dr Bafuor observed that the upsurge in cases brought to the facility has been a source of worry to both patients and the hospital authorities as it is taking a heavy toll on the hospital’s facilities.

He said with the expansion works at the hospital, the facility anticipates measurable progress on the sideline of action plans put in place to improve the issue of congestion in the coming years.

GBC