Assessment of the Emergency Response Efforts and Surge Capacity Preparedness of the Ghana Armed Forces Medical Services for Road Traffic Incidence: A Case Study of the 37 Military hospital

Abstract

Globally, a robust healthcare emergency response system is imperative for ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages, particularly in attaining sustainable development goal 3. Achieving such an objective requires identifying the prevailing emergencies and equipping health facilities to respond effectively. In Ghana, 72 individuals per 100,000 persons suffered serious bodily injuries, with nearly 8 individuals losing their lives due to Road Traffic Incidents in the past decade. Additionally, over 60% of road traffic deaths involved children and young people under the age of 35. The effects of Road Traffic Incidents could be reduced through effective emergency response systems, yet, the Ghanaian healthcare system exhibits infrastructural, logistical and personnel constraints that negatively affect access to appropriate emergency responses. Meanwhile, pre-hospital readiness, internal contingency planning, personnel capabilities, and infrastructure assessment, are essential for managing significant patient care and operational strains. For this reason, the World Health Organization recommends periodic assessments of health facilities' emergency response capacities. This research therefore assessed the preparedness of the Ghana Armed Forces Medical Services health facilities, particularly the 37 Military Hospital, focusing on the capacity to handle national emergency response including road traffic Incidents. Hence, the study utilized a scoping review and multiple-case study design to explore emergency response issues. The qualitative approach to data collection was used for the study drawing from the epistemological perspectives of the interpretive paradigm. The Arksey and O'Malley system analysis was used in the scoping review and data extraction. Scoping reviews, field visits, observations, and in-depth interviews using the World Health Organization field assessment test tools for national emergency response were used to gather data for the study. The purposive and convenient sampling techniques were used to select the participants. The findings have shown that Roads traffic Incidents are a major concern requiring emergency responses in Ghanaian Hospitals. The findings also revealed significant deficiencies in emergency finance, diagnostic imaging equipment, inadequate investment for specialized paediatric trauma care, lack of mutual aid agreements, and lack of protocols for ambulance diversion and emergency communicators within GAMS facilities. These deficiencies underscore the need for adequate health financing, enhanced diagnostic capabilities, inter-facili