Ghana has taken a significant step forward in advanced healthcare delivery with the official opening of the country’s first Philips helium-free Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Diagnostic Centre at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
The facility, established through a partnership between HealthTech Ghana Limited and the Ministry of Defence under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, is expected to restore and significantly expand diagnostic services while improving access to advanced medical imaging.
At the heart of the project is the Philips BlueSeal MRI, the first 1.5 Tesla helium-free MRI system in Ghana. The technology is designed to provide high-quality imaging while reducing the operational challenges traditionally associated with MRI systems.
Beyond MRI services, the centre offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic solutions, including CT scanning, digital X-ray, mammography, ultrasound, and laboratory services, creating an integrated environment for patient diagnosis and treatment.
To commemorate the launch, MRI scans will be offered free of charge to eligible patients for two weeks, from June 8 to June 20, 2026. Patients seeking the service must be registered with the 37 Military Hospital and present a doctor’s request form for an MRI examination.
Although the scans will be provided at no cost during the promotional period, patients will be required to pay a minimal fee for the professional interpretation and reporting of results by a radiology consultant or specialist.
According to HealthTech Ghana, the PPP model was specifically designed to address long-standing challenges facing public health institutions, including equipment breakdowns, inadequate maintenance systems and difficulties replacing costly diagnostic machines.
The company said the arrangement combines private-sector investment with the institutional capacity of the 37 Military Hospital to ensure the long-term sustainability of services without depending solely on periodic government procurement.
The facility operates around the clock, offering diagnostic services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Its services are expected to support the diagnosis and management of a wide range of medical conditions, including stroke, trauma-related injuries, cancer and other complex diseases that require advanced imaging for accurate assessment.
The centre’s laboratory units also provide haematology, biochemistry and pathology services, reducing the need for patients to visit multiple facilities before obtaining a diagnosis.
Chief Executive Officer of HealthTech Ghana Limited, Daniel Morkla, said access to MRI services has remained a challenge for many Ghanaians over the years.
According to him, the partnership not only restores MRI services at the hospital but also delivers a full diagnostic ecosystem that enables patients to receive comprehensive assessments under one roof.
The project is the first of several planned PPP-based diagnostic centres across the country, with organisers expressing hope that advanced imaging, laboratory diagnostics and dialysis services will become more accessible to Ghanaians regardless of their location or financial circumstances.
