President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to expand access to specialised cardiovascular care across Ghana through the establishment of new comprehensive cardiology centres in the middle and northern parts of the country.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at the National Cardiothoracic Centre of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, President Mahama said the facility forms part of a wider national strategy to strengthen specialist healthcare delivery and ensure that quality treatment is not limited by a person’s location.

“This facility is not an isolated project. It forms part of a broader national strategy to strengthen specialised healthcare across Ghana,” he said.

The President explained that through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, the government is investing in the establishment of two new comprehensive cardiology centres at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

He said the projects are aimed at bringing advanced cardiovascular services closer to millions of Ghanaians in the middle and northern belts of the country.

“These centres will bring specialised cardiovascular care closer to millions of Ghanaians in the middle and northern belts of our country,” President Mahama said.

“Healthcare should never depend on where one lives. Every citizen deserves equitable access to quality specialist services.”

President Mahama said the planned centres will go beyond basic cardiac services and will be equipped to provide comprehensive care for patients with heart-related conditions.

Upon completion, he said the facilities will include modern diagnostic and treatment infrastructure such as imaging units, intensive care units, specialised consulting rooms, laboratories, pharmacies, oxygen systems and other support services needed for integrated cardiovascular care.

He added that the government is also advancing plans to install similar specialised facilities at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Takoradi and the Ho Teaching Hospital in the Volta Region.

According to the President, the expansion of these facilities will reduce the pressure on existing specialist centres and limit the need for patients to travel outside the country for advanced medical procedures.

“This new critical care equipment will not only save Ghanaian lives, but also eliminate the need to travel abroad for such medical procedures,” he said.

President Mahama further disclosed that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund will extend its support beyond cardiovascular care to other critical areas, including cancer and renal disease treatment.

“The Ghana Medical Trust Fund is also poised to provide critical equipment to enhance treatment of cancers and renal diseases, both here at Korle Bu and in other hospitals across the country,” he said.

He said that improving specialist healthcare requires not only modern infrastructure and equipment but also the commitment and expertise of health professionals who operate the system.

The President expressed appreciation to doctors, nurses, pharmacists, biomedical engineers, laboratory scientists, technicians, and other healthcare workers for their role in saving lives and improving patient care.

“While modern equipment is indispensable, it is your skill, your compassion and your professionalism that ultimately will save lives,” he said.

He commended the Board of Trustees and management of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, the Ministry of Health, the management of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the National Cardiothoracic Centre, the contractor, and other partners whose efforts contributed to the completion of the project.

While celebrating the new investment, President Mahama cautioned that maintaining the facility must be treated as a priority to prevent a repeat of past experiences where major public investments deteriorated due to poor maintenance.

He said Ghana has often invested heavily in important infrastructure only for those facilities and equipment to decline because maintenance was neglected.

“We must maintain these facilities to the highest standards. Ghana has on too many occasions invested substantial public resources in valuable infrastructure, only to see those investments deteriorate due to neglected maintenance,” he said.

"And that's why I just announced the setting up of the Ghana Medical Equipment Services Limited," the President added.