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36 doctors from Family Health University inducted by Medical and Dental Council

Thirty-six newly qualified medical doctors from Family Health University (FHU) have been officially inducted into the medical profession by the Medical and Dental Council (MDC) of Ghana.

The ceremony, held in Accra over the weekend, formed part of the induction of 192 new doctors.

Addressing the gathering, the Registrar of the MDC, Dr. Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, reminded the inductees of the immense responsibility their profession carries, often involving decisions that could mean life or death.

He urged them to uphold the highest professional standards to maintain the trust and confidence of the public, adding that the MDC would continue its mandate of safeguarding public health and ensuring quality training for medical and dental practitioners.

The Chairman of the Council, Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa, also advised the new doctors to always place patients’ well-being as their top priority.

He encouraged them to pursue continuous learning, stay abreast of emerging medical technologies, and uphold the noble traditions of the medical profession.

This year’s batch is particularly historic for FHU, as the 36 inductees are the first batch of graduates to be inducted since the institution attained full university charter status in 2024.

Trained under the guidance of esteemed lecturers and professors, and supervised by the institution’s founders, Prof. Enyonam Yao Kwawukume and Dr. Susu Bridget Kwawukume, the doctors are the product of years of rigorous academic and clinical preparation.

The Dean of Family Health Medical School, Dr. Sylvester Yaw Oppong, expressed pride in the graduates, noting that their perseverance and commitment during their studies would serve them well in their professional practice.

Prof. Kwawukume, in his remarks, stressed the importance of teamwork, professional ethics, and continuous mentorship, assuring the graduates that the university would remain committed to supporting their growth and monitoring their progress.

Several inductees expressed heartfelt gratitude to the founders for establishing Ghana’s first private medical school, enabling them to fulfil their aspirations of becoming doctors. They praised the dedication, patience, and professionalism of their lecturers and pledged to serve their communities with diligence and compassion.

Family Health University’s Medical School is Ghana’s premier private medical school, offering a six-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) programme for SSCE and ‘A’ Level graduates, and a four-and-a-half-year Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) for science degree holders.

The institution prides itself on student-centered learning strategies designed to foster excellence and innovation in healthcare delivery.

Nalerigu health workers treat patients in cramped ward after ¢4.5m Covid Centre stalls

Health authorities at Nalerigu’s Baptist Medical Centre are compelled to treat patients with various infectious diseases in a single makeshift ward because the contractor who was paid ¢4.5 million for the COVID-19 centre abandoned the site.

Imagine being in a ward with other patients suffering from different infectious diseases. You have mpox, someone has cholera, and the next person on the bed closest to you has TB. Just a series of repeated coughs, and you are likely to go home with another hospital-acquired infection.

This is the daily reality of patients at the Nalerigu Baptist Medical Centre, where health care providers have to treat patients in a makeshift ward.

In 2020, the government awarded Makro Structures Limited a contract worth GH¢15 million, of which GH¢4.5 million was paid upfront, to design and construct a COVID-19 treatment centre for the area.
However, the contractor has since abandoned the site.

JOYNEWS has been tracking the progress of various infectious disease centres.

When Nalerigu recorded its first suspected case of Mpox this year, health authorities at the Baptist Medical Centre had no choice but to treat the patient in its makeshift ward, which had been set aside for infectious diseases.

It’s a typical small room, partitioned to separate patients with different infectious diseases. According to the Medical Director, Dr. Isabella Amese, the ward was originally designated for tuberculosis treatment.

However, as a wider range of cases emerged over time, the team was forced to improvise.

The contractor was paid GH¢4.5 million to complete the facility by October 2022, but only executed 10 per cent of the civil works before abandoning the site.

When JOYNEWS visited, the project was still at the foundation level, with no contractor present. The site had been overtaken by overgrown weeds and stagnant water.

The Auditor-General, in a special report on COVID-19 expenditure between March 2020 and 2022, stated that several efforts by the Ministry of Health to get the contractor to return to the site have proved fruitless.

This is because the contractor did not sign any performance bond. Assembly Member for the Zaari Fong Electoral Area, Bukari Fuseini, says he is appalled by the contractor’s output and is calling on the government to intervene.

The Auditor-General has recommended that the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health recover the mobilisation amount, terminate the contract, and re-award it. Failure to do so would require the Director to refund the amount.

Efforts to get the Health Ministry to comment on the matter have proved futile.

Also at Goaso, in the Ahafo Region, the infectious disease centre is partially completed. A tour of the facility revealed that signage is yet to be installed, sensor control panels are not in place, and minor roof repairs remain outstanding.

Although hospital authorities have taken stock of much of the required equipment, an X-ray machine, a deep freezer, and a stove are yet to be supplied by the contractor. The centre is currently not functional.

When the team inspected the Zebilla Infectious Disease Centre in the Upper East Region, the facility had been completed.

However, due to the absence of any major infectious disease outbreak, hospital management had repurposed the facility by converting sections into neonatal and antenatal units.

A space has, however, been designated specifically for infectious diseases if there is an outbreak in future, confirms Ayobi Abdul Rahman, the Medical Superintendent of Bawku West Hospital.

However, the hospital was not supplied with ventilators or X-ray machines, which are critical equipment for any infectious disease centre.

“The project received support from the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition as part of its objective to build evidence for increased accountability in Ghana through a multi-stakeholder accountability initiative.

“Any financial assistance or support provided to the journalist has no editorial influence. The content of this article belongs solely to the author and is not endorsed by or associated with any entity or any other affiliates,” Ayobi Abdul Rahman added.

DIPPER Lab engages medical stakeholders on innovations to reduce neonatal mortality

The Distributed IoT Platforms, Privacy and Edge-Intelligence Research (DIPPER) Lab at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has held a stakeholder engagement session with healthcare workers, including general practitioners, pediatricians, nurses, lab technologists, among others.

The engagement was organized to present and receive feedback on several low-cost medical innovations developed by the lab to improve neonatal care and reduce infant mortality in Ghana.

Speaking at the event, Rev. Dr. Prince Odame, Child Health and Innovation Team Lead at DIPPER Lab, explained the rationale behind the initiative.

“We want our innovations to have a real-life impact and be adopted by hospitals to save lives.
That’s why we brought in key players in the health sector to evaluate what we’ve built, advise us on improvements, and point out potential challenges,” he said.

The lab showcased a range of medical devices and tools focused on neonatal health, including affordable phototherapy units for treating jaundice, automated exchange transfusion devices, an AI-based jaundice detection system, color-coded thermometers, sleep apnea monitoring devices, and low-cost incubators.

Dr. Odame noted that the Child Health and Innovation team’s work is motivated by challenges encountered in neonatal wards and the need for practical, affordable engineering solutions that can be deployed in hospitals across the country.

Despite some progress, Ghana continues to record a high number of newborn deaths due to preventable causes such as jaundice, respiratory distress, and hypothermia.

Experts have emphasized the need for homegrown, low cost interventions that can be used in resource constrained settings.

Dr. Adoma Odame, Deputy Team Lead of the DIPPER Lab’s Child Health and Innovation team and a Senior Specialist Pediatrician, stressed the importance of developing solutions that are both affordable and usable within the local healthcare context.

“As a pediatrician working in child health, seeing newborns die, we realize that it’s very important for us to, as much as possible, develop low-cost interventions that are easily usable within our environment that can save the lives of newborns,” she noted.

Dr. Adoma added that while Ghana’s neonatal mortality rates have improved over the years, there is still much more to be done.

The engagement drew participation from pediatricians across the country, many of whom expressed strong support for the Lab’s approach.

Dr. Eugene Martey, Ashanti Regional Chair of the Pediatric Society of Ghana, was impressed by the Lab’s innovations and highlighted the importance of devices like CPAP machines.

“Pneumonia and respiratory failure remain major causes of death in children. I’m encouraged by the lab’s effort to provide affordable respiratory support systems, especially for preterm babies,” he said.

Dr. Josephine Oduro Tweneboah, a pediatrician at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), praised the initiative and the focus on locally driven solutions.

“It’s refreshing to see such innovations coming from Ghanaians for Ghanaians. Most of the equipment we use is imported, and when they break down, they often become unusable. Locally developed devices are easier to maintain and more sustainable,” she noted.
The session featured a panel discussion led by Dr. Eric Tutu Tchao, Scientific Director of DIPPER Lab, and a poster exhibition.

The stakeholder meeting marks a significant step in bridging the gap between biomedical research and frontline healthcare delivery in Ghana, with a shared goal of reducing preventable deaths among newborns.

Wholesome Mind Xperience returns to lead effort to rebuild Accra Psychiatric Hospital’s special ward

Ghana’s premier mental health advocacy summit, the Wholesome Mind Xperience, returns on October 10, 2025, with a renewed purpose. This year’s edition marks a major milestone as it officially kicks off the reconstruction of the Special Ward at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, advancing the summit’s broader goal of transforming mental healthcare in the country.

As part of this bold initiative, the conveners launched a GHS 4 million fundraising campaign to refurbish the Special Ward intoGhana’s first Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The PICU will serve as a critical facility within the hospital, offering specialised care and a safe, dignified environment for individuals facing acute mental health crises.

In a significant boost to the fundraising of this project, the Commissioner General has approved the Wholesome Mind Project as a Worthwhile Cause under Section 100 of the Income Tax Act, 2015 (Act 896). This means that donations made toward the reconstruction of the Special Ward shall be allowable as a tax-deductible expense in the computation of income for the 2025 year of assessment.

Under the theme “Mental Health Awareness for all Ages,” this year’s summit will take place at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, bringing together mental health professionals, advocates, caregivers, families, and policy influencers for a day of engaging panel discussions, wellness activities, and community-driven conversations across all life stages.

The summit is spearheaded by VINT & Aletheia Attorneys and Consultants, who are also leading the nationwide and global fundraising campaign to mobilize individuals, corporations, and development partners to support this urgent cause.

To support this initiative, donations can be made through the following channels:

• ExpressPay – (search for TWM Fund Drive)
• GoFundMe – (search for Attentive care inc) – WHOLESOME MIND PROJECT, GHANA
• Bank Transfer:
   Account Name: VINT & Aletheia – TWM Fund Drive
   Account Number: 140009547624
• MTN Mobile Money:
   Number: +233 530 464 306
   Reference: VINT & Aletheia PRUC

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), individuals with mental health conditions deserve care in safe, respectful, and humane environments that promote recovery and uphold their rights. The planned PICU reflects this standard ensuring that the most vulnerable receive not just treatment, but dignity.

Improving mental health outcomes takes more than good intentions. It requires sustained commitment, proper infrastructure, and the willingness to show up for one another. The Special Ward at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital has long supported those in greatest need, yet it remains in poor condition. It’s time we reminded them they are not forgotten.”

Every contribution brings us closer to a transformed future for mental health care in Ghana. Join the movement to reshape the narrative together, we can build a system that is truly holistic, humane, and accessible to all.

Dabokpa Technical Institute unveils solar-powered ‘intelligent babies incubator’

Dabokpa Technical Institute has introduced the Intelligent Babies Incubator, a solar-powered medical device designed to enhance neonatal healthcare delivery.

According to the school, the innovation is well-suited to areas with unreliable electricity supply.

The incubator integrates intelligent temperature control and monitoring systems to provide a stable environment for premature and at-risk newborns.

By utilising solar energy, the innovation ensures uninterrupted operation, supporting healthcare workers in rural and underserved communities to improve infant survival rates.

The initiative was showcased at the 6th edition of the Energy Commission’s Senior High Schools Renewable Energy Challenge, zonal stage in Kumasi, which encourages young innovators to create practical, eco-friendly solutions for societal needs.

Assin Manso SHS develops Medical Solar Steriliser at Energy Commission’s Renewable Energy Challenge

Assin Manso Senior High School in the Central region has presented a pioneering Medical Solar Steriliser at the 6th edition of the Energy Commission’s Senior High Schools Renewable Energy Challenge.

The device harnesses solar power to sterilise medical equipment, offering an energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable solution for healthcare delivery, particularly in off-grid and rural areas.

By using renewable energy, the innovation aims to reduce dependence on conventional electricity sources while ensuring effective infection control in medical facilities.

The Renewable Energy Challenge brings together senior high schools nationwide to develop practical solutions that address pressing social and environmental needs.

The Energy Commission hopes such projects will inspire a new generation of innovators committed to promoting clean energy and sustainable development in Ghana.

Renewable Energy Challenge: Ahantaman Girls SHS develop vaccine cooler for rural healthcare

The Ahantaman Girls Senior High School in Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western region has developed the ‘Royal Vaccine Cooler’, a solar-powered device designed to preserve vaccines in rural communities with limited access to electricity.

The innovation aims to address vaccine storage challenges in underserved areas, ensuring that immunisation programmes are not disrupted due to inadequate cold-chain facilities.

By harnessing renewable energy, the device offers an environmentally friendly, reliable, and cost-effective solution for sustaining vital healthcare services.

The project was presented at the Energy Commission’s Senior High Schools Renewable Energy Challenge, an initiative that encourages young innovators to develop practical technologies for national development.

This year’s edition is the 6th, with a total of 15 second circle schools across the country participating.

Ghana confirms 18 additional Mpox cases, bringing total to 346

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced the confirmation of 18 fresh cases of Mpox, pushing the cumulative number of infections nationwide to 346.

The death toll remains unchanged at one, with no additional fatalities reported and no patients currently receiving hospital care.

In its previous update on 7 August 2025, the GHS urged the public to remain alert, avoid close contact with anyone displaying symptoms, and swiftly report suspected cases to the nearest health facility.

According to the Service, it is working in close collaboration with its regional directorates to trace contacts and strengthen the country’s coordinated response to the outbreak.

Swiss Bio Shield seeks partnership with Ho Teaching Hospital to revolutionalise healthcare delivery

Swiss Bio Shield, a Swiss-based company specialised in hospital equipment and healthcare solutions, is seeking a strategic partnership with the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) to establish a West African showroom.

Mr. Issaka Sidi, Chairman of the Company, said the partnership would bring numerous benefits to the Hospital, including the establishment of a modern production unit for zero-alcohol disinfectants, the setting up of a world-class showroom for hospital theatre devices, and training opportunities for health professionals.

He said Swiss Bio Shield would also establish state-of-the-art machinery with cutting-edge medical technology to attract international clients, support HTH wellness tourism with equipment, and set up cancer and skin centres at HTH with Swiss specialists.

Mr Sidi said the Company chose HTH due to its strategic location and growing medical tourism agenda.

Dr. Hintermann K.K. Mbroh, CEO, HTH, said the partnership would not only enhance the Hospital’s capabilities but also contribute to the region’s economic development.

He expressed gratitude to SwissBio for choosing HTH for the partnership, which he said aligned with the Hospital’s goal of becoming a centre of excellence in healthcare, education, and research.

Dzemeni sees improved maternal health care following Rotary Club, E.P Church intervention

Dzemeni in the South Dayi District in the Volta Region has witnessed improved maternal healthcare over the last year.

The riverine community within the period recorded no maternal deaths as mothers tend to deliver healthier babies, in a safe and sound environment.

This follows a series of interventions at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Health Center in Dzemeni, spearheaded by the church with support from Rotary Club.

Dzemeni is a river-bound commercial community in the South Dayi District which harbors mostly traders, fisherfolks, artisans and private and public sector workers.

As the most developed and busiest community in the enclave, residents in the communities overbank travel here to access to all essential services, including basic healthcare.

This put pressure on the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Health Center which lacked enough space and was under-equipped.

Due to the imperative need for a radiant warmer, the health workers developed an outmoded model with mushroom bulbs and wood to serve in the interim

A midwife at the facility, Esadah Priscilla, explained that they previously had to share a small space at the outpatient department for antenatal and postnatal services.

She said this breached their confidentiality clause, as patients get to hear details of the health conditions of their peers during consultations.

“Previously, we had to attend to clients in pairs in an area divided with plywood. During sessions, they hear the discussions on the other side, and this wasn’t good because we needed to keep their conditions and details confidential”, she said.

She added that the E.P. Church provides an ultrasound machine which provided some relief to pregnant women who access the facility for antenatal care, “since they don’t have to travel out for such services.”

She lamented about the lack of separate wards and beds for mothers and their newborns, explaining they had to house them in a small-spaced ward with other patients.

Gauging the pressure on the health center, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church financed the construction of a maternity unit for the facility.

The structure which occupies a 20 by 70 feet land area has two separate counseling rooms, a labour room, two wards, a neonatal intensive care space, and a public health room among other ancillary facilities.

The Rotary Club stepped in to stock the maternity facility with modern equipment, ranging from radiant warmers, incubators, autoclave machines, labor beds, ward beds, and medical refrigerators among others.

Madam Esadah shared her excitement about the new facility indicating service delivery had drastically improved over the last year, with patients putting to bed healthy babies.

She disclosed that they no longer have to worry about exposed consultation sessions as they have two separate consulting rooms.

“We now have better delivery beds and rooms so mothers have a good rest after giving birth. The NICU is also helping us to provide critical care to babies that need it to survive”, she said with a smile.

Gudzuda Juliana is one of the beneficiaries of the project which has contributed significantly to maternal healthcare in the Dzemeni enclave.

She shared how she was taken care of diligently during her pregnancy journey to delivery, providing her with a holistic service.

“Due to the intensity of my labour and how I was feeling, I least expected them to help me give birth, thinking they will refer me to a bigger facility. However, they proved me wrong to me and did well to help me deliver my baby.”

“After delivery, the beds for resting are big enough and comfortable, unlike previously that provided small beds. The beds in the waiting room before delivery are equally good. They handled me very well after delivery”, she concluded.