Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced plans by the government to establish three catheterisation centres across the country as part of efforts to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.
Speaking at the Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, December 1, the Minister said the centres will be situated at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and the Tamale Teaching Hospital, forming a critical part of the government’s strategy to improve specialist cardiac care nationwide.
Transitioning to broader reforms, the Minister explained that the ministry is also retooling primary health facilities with essential equipment to ensure they deliver on the true mandate of primary healthcare.
According to him, without the right tools at the basic level, Ghana cannot achieve the quality of healthcare citizens deserve.
He further announced that the government is procuring new DNA testing machines, including one for the Noguchi Memorial Hospital, to enhance diagnostic capacity across the country.
“We are going to retool our primary health facilities with the basic equipment needed to deliver quality healthcare and give real meaning to primary healthcare. We are seeking to establish three catheterisation centres, namely the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and the Tamale Teaching Hospital. We are also procuring a DNA testing machine for the Noguchi Memorial Hospital.”
The Minister added that under the Mahama Cares programme, both teaching and non-teaching hospitals will receive upgraded equipment to improve the management of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.
To ensure sustainability, Akandoh revealed that the government is deepening collaboration with the private sector, acknowledging that public funding alone cannot meet Ghana’s health infrastructure needs.
He explained that the model will allow private partners to provide medical equipment to public health facilities and be reimbursed through claims-processing mechanisms.