By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, July 9, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday commissioned the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares) Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) at the National Cardiothoracic Centre of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
A cardiac catheterization laboratory is a specialised medical facility equipped with advanced imaging technologies, including X-ray and fluoroscopy systems, to support minimally invasive diagnostic and interventional procedures. Cardiologists use the facility to perform angiograms, angioplasty, stent placement, and pacemaker implantation by guiding catheters through blood vessels.
Addressing the gathering, President Mahama described the facility as another milestone in the country’s efforts to build a healthcare system that is equitable, resilient and responsive to the changing health needs of Ghanaians.
“It reflects our firm belief that every Ghanaian, regardless of income, location or social status, deserves access to quality healthcare,” he said.
“The true wealth of any nation lies in the health and wellbeing of its people. Healthy citizens are more productive, children learn better, families thrive, businesses grow, and nations prosper.”
The President said every investment in healthcare was an investment in Ghana’s human capital and future.
He commended the Board and Management of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, the Ministry of Health, the management of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the National Cardiothoracic Centre, the contractor and all partners who contributed to the project.
“As we celebrate this achievement, we must also recognise the responsibility to maintain these facilities to the highest standards,” he said.
President Mahama reiterated the Government’s commitment to expanding healthcare infrastructure, strengthening the health workforce, investing in medical technology, supporting research and innovation, and ensuring quality healthcare is accessible to every Ghanaian.
“Let history record that this generation chose to invest not only in roads, bridges and buildings, but also in the health, dignity and future of our people,” he said, adding that the true value of the facility would be measured by the lives it saves, the families it keeps together and the hope it restores.
The President announced that procurement arrangements were underway for the construction of a new maternity block at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
“We will also pull down the old Guggisberg building, which has become unsafe and poses a danger to mothers and healthcare workers,” he said.
“Every day, our mothers continue to give birth in that building, and we cannot allow such a situation to continue.”
President Mahama recalled that one of his final official duties before leaving office in 2017 was to commission the first cardiac catheterization laboratory at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital following concerns over the absence of such a facility at Ghana’s premier teaching hospital.
He said the laboratory transformed cardiovascular care over the past decade by enabling thousands of patients to receive life-saving procedures locally instead of travelling abroad.
The President described the fire that destroyed the facility in March 2025 as a major setback that disrupted services, increased pressure on healthcare workers and imposed additional burdens on patients and their families.
“Today, however, we are not merely replacing what was lost; we are building something better. This new cardiac catheterization laboratory represents restoration, renewal and progress,” he said.
He said the new facility demonstrates the country’s determination to rebuild stronger after setbacks and would significantly improve Ghana’s capacity to diagnose and treat complex cardiovascular conditions, including coronary artery disease, structural heart disease and peripheral vascular diseases.
The President added that the laboratory would also strengthen the country’s capacity to provide timely neurovascular interventions for stroke patients, where prompt treatment is critical to recovery.
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health, described the project as an investment in Ghana’s ability to provide timely, specialised and life-saving interventions to patients who previously faced costly referrals abroad or limited treatment options.
Mrs Obuobia Opoku-Darko, Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, said few leaders have the rare privilege of initiating a transformative national project and returning to restore it after adversity.
She said President Mahama’s presence at the commissioning symbolised continuity of vision, compassion and commitment to the Ghanaian people.
Dr Yakubu Seidu Adam, Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, described the commissioning of the cardiac catheterization laboratory as a game changer for healthcare delivery in Ghana.
Dr Kow Entsua-Mensah, Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre, said the Centre performs about 600 cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgeries annually and records approximately 12,000 patient visits each year, including about 1,500 new referrals.
GNA.
Edited by Audrey Dekalu