Health Ministry to tighten hospital payment systems after The Fourth Estate’s ‘Medical Kalabule’ investigation

The Ministry of Health says it will strengthen payment controls and reform financing systems in public hospitals after The Fourth Estate’s investigation exposed practices that compelled some patients at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) to purchase surgical items themselves.

The investigation, titled Medical Kalabule: Inside Ridge Hospital’s Prescription Scam (Part One), documented how patients seeking treatment at the hospital were allegedly subjected to practices that imposed additional financial burdens, raising concerns about accountability and compliance with established payment procedures.

Following the publication of the investigation, the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, announced plans to establish an investigative committee to examine allegations of patient exploitation and unprofessional conduct at the hospital.

In the statement issued after the publication on January 19, 2026, the Ministry expressed sympathy to patients and their families who may have experienced unprofessional conduct in health facilities, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to reducing the financial and emotional burden associated with accessing healthcare.

The Ministry said it was “deeply concerned and surprised” by the findings contained in the investigation, describing the allegations as serious and warranting a thorough inquiry. It subsequently constituted a committee and tasked it with submitting its findings within 14 working days.

When the committee presented its report on March 16, 2026, it confirmed several systemic weaknesses that created opportunities for the exploitation of patients.

Among its findings, the committee established that a medical officer had breached professional standards by accepting money directly from a patient to procure a surgical item required for an amputation, contrary to Ghana Health Service regulations. The finding corroborated evidence uncovered by The Fourth Estate.

The committee also identified huge institutional gaps and recommended measures to strengthen oversight, including improving complaint-handling systems in hospitals, introducing mandatory orientation on legal and ethical standards for health workers, and enhancing documentation and monitoring of neurosurgical procedures and the use of medical implants.

It further recommended the development of a clear policy framework to regulate intramural practice in public health facilities, an area that has long attracted concerns over informal payments.

Receiving the report on behalf of the Health Minister, Deputy Minister for Health, Prof. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, said the Ministry would implement reforms to improve transparency, accountability and equitable access to essential medical supplies.

She said the Ministry would strengthen procurement systems, enforce strict compliance with approved payment protocols and ensure that patients receive safe and ethical care without being subjected to direct or informal payments.

Prof. Ayensu-Danquah commended the committee for its work and assured that the Ministry would study its recommendations and take the necessary action.