Doctors Take Bribe Before Treating Patients — NPP National Organizer Aspirant Alleges

Nana Kwadwo Agyei Yeboah, an aspirant for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Organizer position, has raised serious concerns about alleged unethical practices within parts of Ghana’s healthcare system, claiming that some doctors demand unofficial payments before attending to patients.

Speaking on Kessben Maakye with Kojo Preko Dankwa today, he asserted, certain medical practitioners are increasingly prioritizing personal financial gain over patient care. He alleged that some doctors working in major public facilities, including Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, refer patients to their privately-owned hospitals for treatment, creating a conflict of interest and placing additional financial burden on already distressed families.

“These practices are deeply worrying. Patients are sometimes delayed unnecessarily, only to be told hours later that there are no beds or oxygen available,” he stated.

Nana Yeboah recounted a personal experience involving his brother, who fell seriously ill and had to be transported between multiple healthcare facilities before finally receiving admission.

“We were tossed from one hospital to another. It was not until the fourth hospital that he was finally admitted, all because we were told there were no beds.

The delays were frustrating and painful,” he explained.

He further alleged that the problem extends beyond logistical constraints such as bed shortages, suggesting that dissatisfaction among health workers regarding their conditions of service is sometimes transferred onto patients.

“The situation goes beyond just beds. When health workers are unhappy with their working conditions, patients unfortunately bear the brunt,” he added.

Nana Yeboah called for a clear separation between politics and healthcare management, emphasizing that professional and administrative decisions should be left to qualified experts.

“Until politicians stay away from certain issues and allow professionals to manage the system effectively, we will continue to suffer from this so-called ‘no bed syndrome,’” he cautioned.

His remarks come at a time when Ghana’s healthcare system continues to face challenges including infrastructure deficits, staffing concerns, and rising public dissatisfaction over service delivery.

Health authorities are yet to officially respond to these specific allegations.