Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is initiating the establishment of what authorities hope would be the second cardiothoracic center in the country, after Korle-Bu. Officials say work on the facility will begin as soon as adequate funds become available, and it is anticipated to be completed in three years. Chief Executive, Professor Ohene Adjei, said the move has become necessary due to the long distance cardio patients especially from the Northern Sector, travel to seek treatment in Accra. He told Nhyira News the hospital will tap expertise of its partners from the Boston Childrens’ Hospital in the United States. A medical team from the American hospital has since 2007 been collaborating with its local counterparts to conduct surgery free of charge for needy patients. The team led by American-born Ghanaian heart surgeon has also provided equipment and training services to staff of Komfo Anokye Hospital. Over 60 people, mainly children, with congenital heart diseases have so far benefitted from the programme. The U.S. team is currently on a visit during which they will treat 14 people who ordinarily would need 12 thousand Ghana cedis each to undergo surgery. Prof Ohene Adjei believes with the level of training for both doctors and nurses through the Ghana-US collaboration; Komfo Anokye is well positioned to begin cardio services. “Our main concern is surgical areas; we are training some people in South Africa when they come back and complement our local people, we should be able to do it”. Professor Adjei believes establishment of such center will reduce the burden on the Center at Korle Bu. “We are eager to do this because people have to travel all the way to Accra, and then book and wait. If we have one here, at least it will help to reduce congestion in Accra (Korle Bu)”. Spokesperson of the 24-man U.S. team, Ravi Thiagarajan, told Nhyira News though the cause of congenital heart conditions like hole- in- heart is unknown; its effects are enormous. He hopes the co-operation with Komfo Anokye would lead to landmark discovery in cardio vascular treatment.