Dr. Cadman Atta Mills, a well-known economist and brother of the late President John Atta Mills, has shared a touching story about Ghana’s struggling healthcare system that has left many people emotional and concerned.
In a post on X on Saturday, May 24, 2025, Dr. Mills revealed how a close friend of his died after being taken to a public hospital in Ghana. According to him, the hospital could not find a bed for his friend when he arrived. His family later called Dr. Mills, begging him to intervene. He did, and the hospital finally found a bed, but sadly, it was too late.
“He eventually got a bed. He still did not make it,” Dr. Mills wrote. “Would he have made it if he had been given a bed immediately? Would he have made it if he had gone abroad? I still think about it.”
He also shared the story of another friend—a woman he referred to as “Her Excellency” who also went to a public hospital in Ghana. Unlike the first case, she was given a bed and received quick attention. However, the hospital later told her to seek treatment abroad because they did not have the needed equipment for further care.
Dr. Mills used these examples to raise a very important question: Should Ghana invest in very expensive medical machines to treat all diseases, or should the country focus on treating the most common illnesses that affect most people?
He said Ghana should focus on treating the most common diseases and improving access to quality care. “There is no reason why my friend had to lie on a mat in a crowded corridor for hours or days,” he stressed.
Although this idea may seem unfair to some, Dr. Mills believes it is actually a fairer way to use Ghana’s limited healthcare resources. His message has started a serious national discussion about how best to fix the country’s health system.
