Gasping for Care: The Urgent Case for ICU Bed Equity in Ghana

In 2019, Ghana—a country of over 30 million people—had only 149 ICU beds nationwide. This figure translates to just 0.5 ICU beds per 100,000 people, well below the global average of over 10 per 100,000. As the data shows, Ghana’s critical care infrastructure is not only inadequate but also alarmingly unequal.

A Stark Disparity in Access

Out of the 149 beds available in 2019:

93 were located in Greater Accra, accounting for 62% of the total capacity.
Yet Greater Accra holds only 17% of Ghana’s population.
10 out of the 16 regions had zero ICU beds.

This means that in emergencies—such as accidents, maternal complications, or pandemics—citizens in the majority of Ghana's regions would need to travel long distances, often at great cost and risk, for access to lifesaving care.

The Cost of Life-Saving Equipment

Equipping an ICU bed is not cheap. A fully installed and functional ICU bed—including monitors, ventilators, and support systems—can cost anywhere between USD 70,000 and 100,000. This high cost, alongside limited budget allocations, has hindered nationwide distribution. But there are signs of hope.

GIZ’s Lifesaving Contribution

In a significant step toward improving Ghana’s intensive care capacity, GIZ Ghana in 2021 donated 10 ICU beds to three hospitals—Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and the University of Ghana Medical Centre. This gesture, though modest in scale, highlights the critical role development partners can play in bridging health infrastructure gaps.

A Call for Government Action

GIZ's donation should serve as a wake-up call—not just a gesture of goodwill, but a blueprint for what’s possible with intentional investment. If one organization can donate 10 fully equipped ICU beds, surely the Government of Ghana can mobilize resources to extend this effort to all 16 regions.

The economic cost of inaction is high, but the human cost is higher. Equitable access to ICU beds is not a luxury—it's a necessity for a fair and functional health system.

Policy Recommendations

Prioritize ICU Bed Procurement: Allocate dedicated funding in the health budget to equip underserved regions.
Partner Strategically: Work with bilateral donors and private sector partners to scale up ICU facilities.
Decentralize Healthcare Resources: Avoid the over-concentration of medical infrastructure in urban centers.
Track and Publish ICU Data: Maintain transparent national dashboards to monitor ICU availability across regions.

Conclusion

Ghana’s ICU gap is a national emergency hiding in plain sight. The 2019 data may be dated, but its message remains urgent. Lives are on the line, and progress is possible—if we act now.

The question is no longer if Ghana can afford more ICU beds. The question is how long can we afford not to?