The family of Charles Amissah has reacted emotionally to the decision by Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) management to suspend four health workers over their alleged failure to provide emergency treatment to her brother, saying the action cannot undo his death. Charles, a 29-year-old engineer, died after a hit-and-run accident in Accra when he reportedly struggled to receive timely medical care from multiple hospitals, including Korle Bu.
Speaking on local media, Charles’s sister said that although the interdiction of two doctors and two nurses may be necessary for due process, “it won’t bring Charles back” because the family is still mourning their loss and coping with the shock of events that unfolded that night. She emphasised that the focus should remain on improving emergency care to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Hospital management has stated that the suspension of the four staff members is a temporary administrative step while a full investigation is conducted to determine the circumstances that led to the incident. A committee has been set up to look into the details, and those affected have been asked to cooperate with the inquiry.
The public reaction to the case has been intense, with many Ghanaians expressing concern about access to emergency healthcare services and the so-called “no bed syndrome,” where patients are denied admission due to a lack of available beds. Charles’s case highlighted ongoing challenges in the system when critical care is needed urgently.
His death sparked a broader debate about hospital readiness, capacity, and procedures in life-threatening situations. Some observers have called for systemic changes in how emergency victims are managed to ensure that rushed decisions do not cost more lives.
