The Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath Lab) at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has provided specialised cardiac and interventional services to approximately 80 patients since it was commissioned in July 2026, highlighting its growing role in improving access to advanced medical care in Ghana.
The facility was established through a partnership between the hospital and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) to strengthen the country’s capacity to diagnose and treat complex medical conditions, particularly those requiring specialised cardiovascular interventions.
The progress and operational needs of the facility came under review when the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, led by its Chairman, Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane, paid a working visit to the hospital.
The visit was intended to help members assess the facility’s performance, understand the challenges affecting its operations and explore the requirements for establishing similar laboratories in other parts of the country.
During the engagement, the committee toured the Cath Lab, observed clinical procedures and received briefings on the services provided by the facility.
Members commended the hospital for its achievements in specialised healthcare delivery and emphasised the importance of investing in the infrastructure and skilled workforce needed to expand access to advanced medical services nationwide.
The Ranking Member of the Committee, Dr Patrick Boakye Yiadom, expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the hospital and urged the government to prioritise the training of doctors and nurses to support the effective operation of cardiac catheterisation laboratories across the country.
He stressed that expanding specialised healthcare infrastructure must go hand in hand with developing the human resources required to operate the facilities efficiently.
The hospital’s Board Chairman and a member of the committee, Professor Titus Beyuo, also highlighted the Cath Lab’s contribution to the treatment of patients, including more than 30 children among the over 80 beneficiaries reported.
He called for deliberate efforts to develop specialised clinical teams capable of operating proposed Cath Lab facilities in the middle and northern belts of Ghana.
Professor Beyuo suggested that Korle Bu could serve as an initial training centre for healthcare professionals who would subsequently travel abroad for further specialised training.
Such an approach, he indicated, could help strengthen the country’s specialist workforce and support the planned expansion of advanced cardiac services beyond the southern part of Ghana.
Addressing the visiting delegation, the Chief Executive of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Yakubu Seidu Adam, described the engagement as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration with Parliament and other stakeholders to improve healthcare delivery.
He said sustained cooperation among key institutions was essential to achieving the hospital’s development objectives, particularly in expanding specialised services and addressing operational challenges.
Dr Adam acknowledged the partnership between the hospital and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which facilitated the establishment of the Cath Lab.
According to him, the facility has strengthened the hospital’s capacity to provide advanced medical interventions while creating opportunities for healthcare professionals to acquire additional skills and experience.
He reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to training a competent healthcare workforce capable of meeting the country’s growing demand for specialised medical services.
However, the Chief Executive drew attention to mounting pressure on the hospital’s Emergency Centre, explaining that its existing capacity was inadequate to accommodate the increasing number of patients seeking emergency treatment.
He therefore appealed to the government and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to support the construction of a new Emergency Centre with a capacity of at least 200 beds.
Dr Adam said the proposed facility would help ease congestion, improve the management of emergency cases and strengthen the hospital’s ability to provide timely care to patients.
The hospital’s Chief Executive also raised concerns about the shortage of medical officers and nurses, identifying the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals as a major challenge.
He explained that although Korle Bu continued to train healthcare personnel, many left the hospital after completing their training, creating difficulties in maintaining adequate staffing levels.
He called for additional support to recruit and retain qualified professionals to ensure continuity of services and enable the hospital to respond effectively to growing patient numbers.
The concerns highlight the importance of addressing staffing needs alongside investments in medical infrastructure to ensure that existing and newly established facilities can operate at their full potential.
Providing further details on the facility’s operations, the Head of the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Dr Ekow Entsua Mensah, said approximately 80 patients had benefited from the Cath Lab since its commissioning in July 2026.
He explained that the facility provides advanced imaging and diagnostic services and supports a range of specialised procedures involving the cardiovascular and vascular systems.
According to Dr Mensah, the facility also serves as a resource for neurologists in managing certain conditions affecting the brain and blood vessels.
He noted that the Cath Lab had helped reduce the financial burden on patients, particularly those whose procedures qualified for support under the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.
Eligible patients whose cases were approved under the fund received financial assistance towards the cost of their procedures, making specialised interventions more accessible.
Dr Mensah, however, identified the shortage of adequately trained personnel as a major obstacle to maximising the facility’s capacity.
He called for further investment in specialist training and capacity-building programmes to ensure that the hospital could serve more patients and make full use of the available equipment.
Other members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health who participated in the visit were Frank Yeboah, Mohammed Ramadan, Kingsley Agyemang, Sebastian Sandaare, Alexander Hottordze and Dr Thomas Anabah.
They were accompanied by senior officials of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, including the Director of Medical Affairs, Dr Frank Owusu-Sekyere; Director of Administration, Munir Alhassan; Director of Pharmacy, Dr Charles Ofei-Palm; Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services, Aimee Akotey; Director of Human Resources, Yehuza Jawula; Director of Finance, Emmanuel Coffie; and Chief Internal Auditor, Ibrahim Abu Jajah.
Also present were the Deputy Director of Administration and Executive Assistant, Gertrude Kinney, and the Head of Public Relations, Mustapha Salifu.
The engagement provided an opportunity for Parliament and hospital management to examine the progress of specialised cardiac services while discussing the infrastructure, staffing and training requirements needed to improve healthcare delivery.
The discussions also underscored the need for sustained investment and institutional collaboration to expand access to specialised treatment, strengthen emergency services and build a healthcare workforce capable of meeting Ghana’s evolving medical needs.
By 1960news.com
