President John Dramani Mahama has expressed strong satisfaction with the progress of work on the Cardio Centre and Catheterization Laboratory (CatLab) at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, describing the project as a major step toward improving cardiovascular care in northern Ghana.
Speaking during an inspection visit, President Mahama revealed that the nationwide push to establish CatLabs was inspired by a tragic incident involving a medical doctor who was unable to access timely treatment.
“What triggered all this was a medical doctor in Kumasi who needed the services of a CatLab. The one in Kumasi had broken down. They rushed him to Accra, but the one there had suffered a fire incident and was also out of service. Unfortunately, he died,” he recounted.
He explained that the incident prompted the decision to procure CatLabs initially for Accra and Kumasi, before extending the initiative to Tamale to ensure broader geographic access to life-saving cardiac services.
“We said, why don’t we get one for Tamale too, so that across the country, people can access urgent cardiac care wherever they are.”
A Lifeline for Northern Ghana
Mahama noted that installing the CatLab required more than equipment, as the hospital lacked the full range of supporting infrastructure necessary for effective operation.
“We realized they didn’t have all the supporting services to make it functional. It meant we needed to build a whole cardio centre with ICU, wards, consulting rooms everything required to manage cardiovascular emergencies.”
He emphasized the transformative impact the facility will have across the five northern regions, where such specialized care is currently unavailable.
“In the whole northern sector, there is no facility like this. Patients had to be stabilized and referred to Accra or Kumasi. Those who died, died. Those who survived, survived.”
“Today, we are giving the people of northern Ghana a real chance of survival in the event of a cardiac incident.”
Mahama added that the centre is expected to serve not only northern Ghana but also patients from neighbouring countries, positioning Tamale as a regional hub for advanced medical care.
Call for Cancer Treatment Facility
President John Dramani Mahama also called for the establishment of a dedicated cancer treatment facility in Tamale, citing the growing burden of cancer and limited access to specialized care in the northern regions.
“Cancer patients currently have to travel to Kumasi or Accra for radiotherapy and other specialized treatments,” he said.
“Like Oliver Twist, we are grateful, but we are asking for more the Ministry of Health should start looking at a cancer centre here in Tamale.”
He stressed the importance of developing centres of excellence within teaching hospitals, pointing to similar investments in southern Ghana.
“We have done this with Korle Bu the plastic and burns units, oncology units, cardiothoracic units. Teaching hospitals must continue to evolve into centres of excellence.”
Project Nearing Completion
Mahama expressed confidence in the pace of work, indicating that the project is nearing completion, with key equipment already procured and awaiting installation.
“I am satisfied with the rate of work. All the equipment is available, and once construction is finished, installation will begin,” he said.
“By next year, we should be back here to commission the first cardiothoracic centre in the Savannah area.”
The project, supported by the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Medical Trust, and the Mahama Cares initiative, is expected to significantly improve access to specialized cardiac care across northern Ghana.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
