A two-week Train-the-Trainer programme on the Integrated Bed Management and Referral Coordination System (IBMRCS) is currently underway at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital as part of efforts to address the persistent “no bed syndrome” in the region.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the newly established IBMRCS Command Center at Ridge Hospital, which was created through a collaboration between the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), the University of Ghana Medical Center (UGMC), and the National Ambulance Service (NAS).
The training programme commenced with a successful three-day session for Dispatchers on the operation of the system. The current phase is focused on Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), with selected personnel drawn from all ambulance stations across Greater Accra. These EMTs will, in turn, train their colleagues at their respective stations.
According to Mr. Jeffery Anyakpah, Training Facilitator at the Ridge Command Center, the programme represents a significant step forward in emergency healthcare delivery.
“This initiative is a laudable one that would go a long way to reduce the no bed syndrome,” he said.
He explained that once the Dispatch Console is populated with all the required information, EMTs will be able to operate the system effectively in the field.
On the 14th of July, a total of 18 personnel from the Ayawaso East and North, Mamprobi, Pantang, and Dansoman Ambulance Stations participated in the training session at the Command Center.
Participants expressed optimism about the impact of the new system.
SIEMT Naeem Ahmed of the Ayawaso East Ambulance Station noted that because the system ensures bed availability before patient transport, “the negative impact of no bed shall be reduced.”
SEMT Doreen Kwame of the Kaneshie Ambulance Station added:
“Because the availability of beds in the receiving facilities will be uploaded onto the new system, it will now be easy to transport and hand over patients successfully without roaming from one hospital to another.”
The IBMRCS is expected to streamline referrals by providing real-time information on bed availability across health facilities, thereby reducing delays, improving patient transfers, and strengthening emergency response coordination in Greater Accra.
