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President John Dramani Mahama has expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (CATLAB) under construction at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, calling the project a vital step toward improving specialized healthcare in northern Ghana. During a recent inspection, the President highlighted the importance of the facility, which was initiated after the tragic death of a doctor in Kumasi who could not access timely CATLAB services.
The President explained that the Kumasi CATLAB was non-functional at the time, while the one in Accra was also unavailable due to a fire, leaving the patient without immediate care. “Unfortunately, he died. That incident underscored the urgent need for more CATLAB facilities across the country,” he stated. Initially, the government had planned to procure two CATLAB units for Accra and Kumasi, but after the incident, the decision was made to include Tamale, ensuring more equitable access to critical cardiac services nationwide.
Upon receiving the CATLAB equipment in Tamale, it became clear that additional infrastructure such as intensive care units (ICUs), wards, and consulting rooms were necessary for the facility to operate fully. This realization led to the decision to construct a comprehensive cardiothoracic centre to complement the CATLAB.
“This project will be the first of its kind in northern Ghana,” President Mahama noted. “In the past, patients had to be stabilised and referred to Accra or Kumasi. Some survived, but others didn’t. This facility will give people in the north a real chance at survival.” He emphasized that the centre would not only serve Ghana but could also cater to patients from neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso, where similar facilities are lacking.
The President commended the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as the Mahama Care initiative, for their support in bringing the project to fruition.
He also stressed the importance of establishing centres of excellence in teaching hospitals, citing previous investments in specialized facilities such as cardiothoracic, oncology, and plastic surgery units at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Looking ahead, President Mahama called for the creation of a cancer treatment centre in Tamale, to help patients avoid the need to travel to southern Ghana for radiotherapy and other specialized treatments. “We must begin to look at a cancer centre here in Tamale so patients do not have to travel all the way to the south,” he urged.
The President expressed confidence that the CATLAB project would soon be completed, with all necessary equipment already procured and set for installation once construction is finished. He anticipates the facility could be ready for commissioning by next year, marking a major advancement in healthcare delivery for northern Ghana.
Story by Efua Nessa
Source: Loco tv