The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, says the government is set to establish three catheterisation centres across the country as part of a broader agenda to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.
Addressing the Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, December 1, the Minister disclosed that the centres will be situated at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and the Tamale Teaching Hospital. He noted that these facilities will play a critical role in expanding access to specialist cardiac care for Ghanaians.
Transitioning to broader reforms, Akandoh said the Ministry is embarking on a major retooling of primary health facilities to equip them with essential tools needed to deliver effective primary healthcare. He stressed that without the right equipment at the basic level, Ghana cannot achieve the quality of care citizens deserve.
The Minister also revealed that government is acquiring new DNA testing machines, with one expected to be installed at the Noguchi Memorial Hospital, to strengthen diagnostic capacity nationwide.
“We are going to retool our primary health facilities with the basic equipment required to deliver quality healthcare and give real meaning to primary healthcare. We are seeking to establish three catheterisation centres—at 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.”
He added that under the Mahama Cares initiative, both teaching and non-teaching hospitals will benefit from improved equipment to enhance the management of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions.
To ensure sustainability, Akandoh said the government is strengthening partnerships with the private sector, acknowledging that public resources alone cannot address the country’s health infrastructure needs. The new model, he explained, will allow private partners to provide equipment to public hospitals and receive reimbursement through claims-processing arrangements.
