No Mattress Syndrome: The Tragic Death of Charles Amissah and Ghana’s Emergency Care Crisis
Introduction
On the night of February 6, 2026, a 29-year-old Ghanaian engineer named Charles Amissah became the latest—and most publicized—victim of a phenomenon locally termed “no mattress syndrome”. After suffering severe injuries in a hit-and-run accident at Accra’s Nkrumah Circle Overpass, Amissah was systematically refused admission by three major hospitals—Police Hospital, Ridge General Hospital (Greater Accra Regional Hospital), and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital—over a nearly three-hour period, despite the constant presence of National Ambulance Service (NAS) paramedics providing life-saving interventions. He died in the ambulance shortly after being rejected by the final hospital, Korle Bu. This incident, documented in a confidential situational report (SITREP) and reported by Graphic Online and Life Pulse Daily, has sparked national outrage, legal scrutiny, and urgent calls for reform of Ghana’s emergency medical system.
This article provides a comprehensive, SEO-optimized, and pedagogical examination of the case. We reconstruct the timeline using verified data, explore the background of Ghana’s emergency healthcare landscape, analyze the systemic failures that led to Amissah’s death, offer practical advice for citizens and policymakers, and address common questions. Our goal is to inform the public, honor the victim by exposing the truth, and contribute to a data-driven dialogue on preventing such tragedies.
Key Points
- Incident: Charles Amissah, a 29-year-old engineer, was struck by a hit-and-run driver on a red motorcycle at Nkrumah Circle Overpass, Accra, around 10:30 PM on February 6, 2026.
- Emergency Response: The National Ambulance Service (NAS) arrived within 3 minutes, provided advanced first aid including bleeding control, cervical spine immobilization, and oxygen therapy.
- Hospital Refusals: Over the next ~3 hours, the ambulance crew attempted to admit Amissah to Police Hospital, Ridge General Hospital, and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Each facility refused, citing “no vacant bed available.” No hospital staff assessed his vital signs or provided any in-hospital emergency care.
- Final Rejection: At Korle Bu, after 30 minutes of negotiation, staff insisted the patient be transferred to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC). The NAS crew objected due to the patient’s deteriorating condition, but the refusal stood.
- Outcome: Amissah went into cardiac arrest in the ambulance. CPR was initiated but unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead by Dr. Nkrumah on duty at Korle Bu. His body was deposited in the mortuary.
- Family Notification: Amissah’s family reported him missing on February 7. They identified his body on February 9 at Korle Bu mortuary after being notified by Nima Police Station.
- Terminology: The pattern of refusal due to bed unavailability has been dubbed “no mattress syndrome” by media and public discourse, highlighting a systemic issue in Ghanaian public hospitals.
Background
The Ghanaian Healthcare System and Emergency Care Challenges
Ghana’s healthcare system comprises public, private, and faith-based facilities. Public hospitals, including the three involved in this case, are major referral centers but often suffer from chronic underfunding, infrastructure deficits, and overcrowding. The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) aims to provide universal coverage, but gaps remain, particularly in emergency and critical care services.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Ghana are primarily coordinated by the National Ambulance Service (NAS), established in 2004. NAS provides pre-hospital care but relies on hospital emergency departments for definitive treatment
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