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KATH doctor dies over lack of laboratory for treating ‘heart attack’

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is seeking the urgent prioritization and construction of a catheterisation laboratory after losing one of its critical medical staff who suffered a heart attack. 
 
Dr. Kwame Adu Ofori, an Emergency Physician at the Hospital, is reported to have died over the weekend when his colleague doctors attempted saving him but lacked the crucial laboratory to treat an obstruction in one of the blood vessels pumping blood to his heart. 
 
The absence of the laboratory at Ghana’s second largest teaching hospital has sparked grave concerns over the poor medical infrastructure in public health facilities in the country as Ghana boasts of only one of such facilities located in Accra.
 
It was a gloomy weekend at Ghana’s second largest teaching hospital, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, after health professionals watched helplessly to seek urgent medical attention for a colleague who suffered a myocardial infarction, otherwise known as a heart attack.   
 
A specialized area to perform a minimally invasive procedure to diagnose and treat an obstructed blood vessel to his heart was missing at the Ashanti region’s foremost hospital.

Despite immediate response to stabilize him before being transported to the national capital for proper care, he died on the way. 
 
CEO of KATH, Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo recounts moments of the unfortunate demise. 
 
“After the doctors stabilized him, we arranged for a military airlift to transport him immediately to Accra for him to be properly attended to. We arranged a team of doctors and special care nurses for him. They were in touch when they got to Accra but he unfortunately died on their way to the hospital,” he recounted.
 
Dr. Kwame Adu Ofori before his passing was an Emergency Physician at the hospital, who contributed actively to providing emergency medical care to critically ill patients, but sadly couldn’t save himself.
 
Despite calls for successive governments to construct a Cath Lab for the facility, it has fallen on deaf ears. 
 
“When a delegation from Bank of Ghana visited us, I made a plea to them to help us construct a CATH lab. They’ve asked that we submit a proposal to be sent to the Governor,” he said.

 The similar situation is mirrored in public health facilities across other regions in the country. 
 
A construction of the facility will be the first and foremost in the 67 years of existence of the hospital, serving the Ashanti region and the Northern part of Ghana. 

Technically, doctors perform a cardiac catheterization on patients by inserting a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel, and this is carefully guided to the heart.

It is usually passed through the hand or leg to reach the heart without an open-heart surgery.
 
The unfortunate incident has since ignited concerns amongst workers at the hospital on the inadequate medical infrastructure. 
 
Dr. Baidoo says the hospital needs urgent retooling to improve quality healthcare delivery. 

“The sterilization facility at the hospital is also defunct. We need a comprehensive retooling of the hospital,” he noted.
 
Health professionals at the hospital anticipate an immediate construction and completion of the specialized laboratory to end the numerous avoidable cardiac deaths. 

Meanwhile, the management of the hospital says the Minister of Health has been informed of the incident who has assured of the construction of the facility in not only Kumasi but also in Tamale and another in Accra.

200,000 children in Ghana have uncorrected refractive errors- Dr Agyemfra

More than 200,000 children in Ghana suffer from uncorrected refractive errors, a leading cause of visual impairment, with one in four schoolchildren requiring vision correction.

A Chief Optometrist at the Trust Hospital in Accra, Dr Naa Kowah Agyemfra, said that although refractive error, which causes visual impairment, accounts for 50 per cent of the cases, less than 30 per cent of those with refractive errors have access to proper correction due to cost, access issues or myths.

“Obviously, this is not just a clinical problem but a public health crisis and a cultural communication gap,” she stressed.

Dr Agyemfra made the remarks while delivering an address at the second Refractive Error Day Symposium & 8th White Coat Ceremony at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)

it was on the theme: “Bridging the gap: Dispelling refractive error myths to improve access”.

The white coat ceremony marked the transition of 100 level 400 Doctor of Optometry students from preclinical studies to clinical practice, where they were robed in white coats, widely recognised as a symbol of medical professionals.

They took the optometry oath, promising to practise the art and science of optometry diligently and conscientiously, uphold and promote the highest standards, ethics and ideals of the profession, as well as safeguard patients’ information.

Disproving myths about refractive errors, she explained that it was false to believe spectacles weaken the eyes.

Instead, she emphasised they help the eyes focus better, stressing “without them, you strain your eyes more and may even develop headaches”.

Additionally, she said sugar does not directly cause refractive errors.

However, it can affect the vision of people with diabetes, but glasses or spectacles are for refraction and not for sugar levels.

She also added, “children, teens and adults can all have refractive errors.”

Dr Agyemfra, also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eye Express, Accra, emphasised that wearing glasses was not a sign of weakness but a means of empowerment, noting, “refractive errors are not curses but are correctable conditions”.

Recruitment

The President of the Ghana Optometry Association (GOA), Professor Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi, stated that no optometrists have been employed in the public sector for nearly five years, despite training institutions producing approximately 200 optometrists annually.

Instead, he said that what was always done was replacing those in active service who retired, resigned or died.

Therefore, he called on the government to recruit optometrists to work actively, especially in underserved areas.

Furthermore, he urged the Ministry of Health and its agencies to urgently review the long-overdue approval of a two-year horsemanship programme for Doctors of Optometry, with suitable remuneration.

Prof. Boadi-Kusi advocated refractive services to be integrated into primary healthcare and included in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). He emphasised that refractive error was a health issue and a barrier to education, opportunities and dignity.

Challenges myths

A Professor at the School of Optometry and Visual Science, University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor Emmanuel Kwesi Abu, who chaired the event, said that globally, refractive errors remained underdiagnosed, undertreated and misunderstood.

Despite the availability of simple, affordable interventions such as spectacles, he expressed concern that millions still suffer because of misinformation, cultural beliefs and limited access to services.

He told the students that their field was rapidly evolving with advances in diagnostic imaging, ocular therapeutics, contact lens innovations, and public health strategies.

Therefore, he encouraged them to stay curious and keep up with new trends.

Impact

In a welcome address, the Head of Department of Optometry and Visual Science at KNUST, Professor Mohammed Abdul-Kabir, stated that refractive error, if left uncorrected, can significantly and adversely affect patients’ well-being and may also lead to poor academic performance among children.

He urged the students stepping out to begin the clinical phase of their training to work harder and stay up-to-date with modern eye health and optometry care techniques.

Princess Duncan receives honorary doctorate from Prowess University, USA

Princess Duncan, a fast-rising force in Ghana’s business and humanitarian space, has been honoured with an honorary doctorate by Prowess University, Delaware, USA.

At just her early age, Princess Duncan is already commanding attention on the African leadership stage, not only as Deputy Chief Executive of COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company but also as a passionate advocate for peace across borders.

The prestigious recognition was conferred on her during the 2025 Africa’s Under 40 CEOs Awards and Summit held on Saturday, June 28, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Aside from being acknowledged with an honorary doctorate, she was recognised as an Icon of African Economic Advancement 2025 at the Africa’s Under 40 CEOs awards and summit.

Her new title, “Doctor”, adds to an already powerful profile, placing her among the youngest female CEOs in Ghana to receive such international acclaim.

The honour is a proud extension of a legacy deeply rooted in service and vision.

Princess Duncan is the daughter of renowned Ghanaian scientist and philanthropist Professor Samuel Ato Duncan, the Executive President of COA Research and Manufacturing and traditional Nkosuohemaa of Frante Sekyeredumasi in the Ashanti Region.

Like her father, she has consistently demonstrated a firm commitment to using her platform to build peace, support community health, and inspire the next generation.

Following the conferral of the doctorate degree, she spoke exclusively to Ghanaian journalist Beyoncé Diamond Kpogli and expressed immense gratitude to the summit organisers and the awarding institution.

“I am deeply honoured by this recognition. It means the world to me,” she said. “To be acknowledged not just for what I’ve achieved, but for the values I stand for – it’s humbling.”

She added that the award is not an end but rather a spark for more ambitious work ahead. “This is only a stepping stone,” she noted. “Greater things are coming. We are born to serve humanity, and we will continue to do so until peace reigns again.”

Dr. Princess Duncan also used the platform to advocate for peace, stressing that without unity and stability, true development remains impossible.

“Without peace, we cannot grow or develop as individuals or a nation. That’s why it’s crucial to end all conflicts and embrace peace. We owe that to ourselves, to our future, and to the next generation,” she emphasised.

The event was well attended by young, influential CEOs from across Africa. The event celebrated innovation, leadership, and impact, spotlighting individuals shaping the continent’s future.

Princess Duncan has long been admired for her blend of grace, discipline, and tenacity. Whether in boardroom decisions or community development projects, she brings a rare sense of clarity and compassion to her work.

More HIV patients not on treatment – New report reveals

More than half of the people living with HIV/AIDS have not sought the life-saving antiretroviral therapy treatment, the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has revealed.

In its 2024 national and sub-national HIV estimates and projections, the commission reports that 334,721 people living with HIV, accounting for 47 per cent of that population, are currently on antiretroviral therapy treatment, with 52.6 per cent without treatment.

The commission has described the situation as “alarming”, warning of its potential to derail national efforts to control the epidemic.

The current situation, it said, had left the lives of the entire population, including non-HIV patients, at risk.

The Ghana AIDS Commission made this known at a press briefing in Accra last Thursday, where government officials, health experts and development partners convened to assess the country’s HIV control efforts.

The Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the commission, Isaiah Doe Kwao, said the figures fell short of the global 95-95-95 targets set by the United Nations programme for HIV and AIDS, UNAIDS, for 95 per cent of people living with HIV to know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed to be on treatment and 95 per cent of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression.

Statistics

Breaking down the statistics, Mr Kwao explained that 15,290 new HIV infections were recorded in 2024 alone, and that although 12,614 AIDS-related deaths were recorded, an estimated 12,358 deaths were prevented due to access to treatment.

He said the data underscored the urgent need to expand access to antiretroviral therapy treatment.

Mr Kwao stated that women and children continued to bear a disproportionate burden, with 68.5 per cent (10,303) of new infections occurring in females and 5.4 per cent (1,243) occurring in children under 15.

He remarked that although Ghana boasts that 99.3 per cent of HIV-positive mothers now receive prevention of mother-to-child transmission, more needed to be done to ensure effective follow-up and treatment to reduce the figures.

He added, however, that the records for males were 4,987, while adults aged 15 and older recorded 11,289 out of the 15,290 new cases.

Stigma, other challenges

The Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, said issues such as misinformation, disinformation, stigma, discrimination, individual economic challenges, inadequate lifesaving services and recent funding cuts had contributed to derail progress.

“Regardless, we are determined to ensure sustained domestic financing, including the recent suspension of USAID’s international funding programme; integrate HIV priorities into broader health and development strategies, and adopt innovative, data-driven approaches to enhance service delivery.

No one should be left behind in our HIV response,” she emphasised. 

She also cautioned that every HIV-positive person who was not on treatment was one step closer to advanced illness and AIDS-related death, which she said was unacceptable. She stressed that, especially in present times, there should not be such a wide treatment gap.

As Ghana prepares to host the 2025 International Conference on AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Africa (ICASA), the Deputy Chief of Staff called on stakeholders, government institutions, health workers, donors, researchers, community advocates and civil society leaders to reflect deeply on the findings from these estimates and turn them into purposeful action.

Regional statistics

On the regional level, Greater Accra recorded 3,436 new infections, Ashanti Region, 2,997, Eastern Region, 2,019, Central Region, 1,140, Western Region, 1,120, Bono Region recorded 875, while Volta Region recorded 809 new infections.

Bono East recorded 649, Western North recorded 478, Ahafo Region recorded 350, Upper East Region recorded 345, Northern Region recorded 318, Upper West recorded 292, Oti Region recorded 222, Savannah Region recorded 143, while the North East Region recorded 97.

Medical facilities in Ahafo hail NHIA for prompt payment of claims

Medical Directors of health facilities in the Ahafo Region have lauded the leadership of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) for the prompt payment of claims in 2025.

According to them, the NHIA’s timely payment of claims significantly improves the day-to-day administration of both public and private health institutions in the country.

Dr. Tsibo-Takyi, the Medical Director for the St. John of God Catholic Hospital in Duayaw-Nkwanta, noted that while the NHIS claims are not entirely sufficient to sustain the facilities, their timely payment is highly appreciated.

These observations were made by the Medical Directors on Monday at Hwediem in the Ahafo Region, during a stakeholder engagement meeting between the NHIA, credentialed facilities, and the Ghana Health Service in the region.

READ ALSO: Parliament approves GH¢10bn for NHIA

The meeting provided a crucial platform for reflection, review, and renewal of collaborative commitment towards delivering quality and accessible healthcare to residents through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Attendees included the Regional Director of Health Services, various District Directors of Health, Medical Superintendents of hospitals, and representatives of mission hospitals in the region.

Dr. James Ankomah, the Medical Director for Goaso Municipal Hospital, urged the NHIA to consider an upward adjustment of the various tariffs under the Scheme in the Ahafo Region, emphasizing that the current amounts received by facilities are woefully inadequate.

In his remarks, the Ahafo Acting Regional Director for the NHIA, George Mawuli, confirmed that health facilities have received payments up to May, with only a few institutions having exceptional cases.

He expressed optimism that the prompt payment of claims to facilities should translate into quality service provision for persons seeking healthcare in the Ahafo Region.

However, Mr. Mawuli also pointed out that some facilities continue to engage in illegal charges or “copayments” to clients, which he stated undermines the credibility of the NHIS and fosters mistrust among members.

He indicated that this practice is not only unethical but also a breach of their contractual agreements, asserting that the NHIA cannot allow such actions to persist.

The Acting Regional Director therefore called on all providers to immediately halt any form of unauthorized charges and adhere strictly to the NHIS tariffs and policies.

“In our efforts to increase transparency and client education, we are introducing the ‘Pulpit System’ where NHIS staff will be stationed at various credentialed facilities daily to educate clients on their rights, responsibilities, and benefits under the Scheme,” he stated.

Mr. George Mawuli noted that this initiative will also serve as a feedback mechanism, ensuring real-time resolution of issues at the facility level, and urged “maximum cooperation to make this a success.”

The Acting Regional Director emphasized that, as part of their operational calendar, the NHIA is entering a new cycle of credentialing and contract renewals. “We urge all providers to ensure their documentation is up to date and submitted promptly,” Mr. George Mawuli stated.

He stressed that the NHIA is committed to offering a smooth and transparent process and expects the same level of professionalism and urgency from all facilities.

He reiterated that the success of the NHIS in the region is a shared responsibility, adding, “Let’s work together in mutual respect and accountability to build a system that our clients can trust and rely on.”

HASAG signs maiden Collective Agreement with government

After months of stalled negotiations and rising tensions, the Health Accounting Staff Association of Ghana (HASAG) has successfully concluded and signed its Collective Agreement with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), representing the government.

The two-year agreement, which takes effect from August 1, 2025, outlines comprehensive benefits and allowances for members of HASAG, a key milestone that will serve as a morale booster for the association’s workforce.

It brings closure to a period marked by uncertainty and agitation among HASAG members.

Signed on Thursday at the FWSC in Accra, the collective agreement includes provisions for a range of allowances such as duty, posting, protective clothing, vehicle maintenance, occupational health, accommodation, medical subsidy, call-in, and overtime allowances, among others.

These packages are expected to significantly improve the working conditions of health accounting staff across the country.

In addition to the agreed allowances, HASAG members shall enjoy other benefits which are not specifically spelt out in the agreement but which are enjoyed by members in their respective facilities and agencies in line with section 105(4) of the Labour Act 2003, Act 651

Dr. George Smith-Graham, Chief Executive Officer of the FWSC, signed for the employer represented by the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment; the Ministry of Finance; and the Ministry of Health; while Emmanuel Dennis Kofi Amoah, President of HASAG, signed for the association.

Dr. Smith-Graham commended the leadership of HASAG for its cooperation and commitment to constructive dialogue throughout the negotiation process.

He was optimistic that the implementation of the agreement would enhance both performance and productivity among the members of the association.

Acknowledging that all the demands of the association could not be met, he said, “It’s our expectation that the general economy will improve so that it reflects in the improved conditions of service for workers.”

For his part, Mr. Amoah expressed gratitude for the eventual consensus and underscored the importance of effective implementation of the agreement.

“This agreement is a major victory for our members. We are optimistic that the employer will honour the terms fully, and we remain committed to working collaboratively with the FWSC to resolve any issues that may arise during implementation,” he said.

He, however, raised concerns about disparities in market premiums for similar category of workers, and called on the Commission to consider addressing the disparities to ensure fairness.

Mrs Lizzy-Ann Kwagbedzi, deputy CEO of Gamey and Gamey Group, consultants for the association, for her part, noted that “even though we didn’t get all we wanted, we are pleased with how far we have come, and look forward to future negotiations.

She urged the implementing agencies, including the ministries of health and finance, to ensure a smooth implementation phase.

With the agreement now in place, HASAG members can look forward to improved incentives and better working conditions, reinforcing the crucial role they play in Ghana’s health administration system.

Experts urge institutionalisation of evidence-based health policies in Ghana

Stakeholders from the School of Public Health at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi in collaboration with the Ghana Chapter of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) and Syreon Research Africa, have called for stronger integration of evidence-based healthcare decision-making across Ghana and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Speaking at the 2025 ISPOR National Symposium, themed “Advancing Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) for Sustainable Healthcare Decision-Making in Ghana and LMICs,” experts highlighted the need for robust data systems, inclusive public-private partnerships, and transparent, community-driven health planning.

Professor Christian Agyare, Provost of the College of Health Sciences at KNUST, who chaired the event, said the integration of evidence and economic analysis into health policy was urgent. “We can no longer afford to make health decisions without evidence, nor can we ignore the economic implications of our policy choices,” he said.

Agyare announced that KNUST is establishing a Centre of Excellence in Health Economics and Outcomes Research to support training, research, and policy engagement.

Dr. Ernest Attuquaye Quaye, President of ISPOR Ghana, said the country had made significant strides in health outcomes research. Ghana, he noted, is the first in West Africa and one of only four in Africa to validate its own EQ-5D-5L value set, a tool used to assess health-related quality of life.

He added that ISPOR Ghana played a key role in developing Ghana’s Health Technology Assessment (HTA) strategy, launched in 2021, and in publishing national standards for economic evaluations in 2023. He urged support for capacity-building efforts, particularly for early-career researchers.

Professor Eric Fosu Oteng-Abayie, Head of the Department of Economics at KNUST, said a decade of HEOR research had exposed inefficiencies and disparities in healthcare systems. He cited limited funding, infrastructure gaps, and persistent disease burdens as key challenges.

“When integrated into policy frameworks, HEOR analyses not only identify high-impact areas for investment but also guide health systems in optimising resource allocation,” he said.

Oteng-Abayie outlined strategies to advance HEOR, including improved data infrastructure, capacity-building, inclusive partnerships, and community engagement. He announced that KNUST, in partnership with Syreon Research Africa, will launch postgraduate programmes in Health Economics and Decision Science at MSc, MPH, MPhil, and PhD levels.

Dr. Fiona Braka, WHO Country Representative to Ghana, reaffirmed WHO’s support for Ghana’s HEOR agenda. “Evidence-based decision-making is the foundation of sustainable health policy,” she said. Braka also announced a new MSc programme in Health Economics and Policy, developed in partnership with KNUST, with MPhil and MPH tracks under review.

Hungarian Ambassador to Ghana, Tamás Fehér, said the global demand for efficient and equitable healthcare was growing. “It is not just about gathering data but translating knowledge into actions that save lives, optimise resources, and promote fairness,” he said.

Fehér said the Hungarian Embassy offers 100 scholarships annually to Ghanaian students and encouraged participants to apply.

Professor Peter Agyei Baffour, Dean of the School of Public Health, moderated plenary sessions and panel discussions on topics including HTA, real-world evidence, value-based pricing, and access to essential medicines.

Health Minister to register over 16,000 residents under NHIS in Juaboso District

Kwabena Mintah Ankando, the Member of Parliament for Sefwi Juaboso Constituency, is to register more than 16,000 residents in the constituency with the National Health Insurance Scheme ( NHIS) as part of efforts to improve the socio-economic and health needs of the constituents.

Mr Ankando, who is also the Minister for Health, told the  Ghana News Agency in an interview that the registration exercise scheduled for July 14  to August 8,  would target mainly the aged, children, and less privileged, irrespective of their political,  ethnic, and religious backgrounds.

  “ The exercise, especially, would cover the less privileged who can not afford to register with the scheme or renew their cards to enable them to access healthcare services for their ailments, “.

The Health Minister noted that the NHIS had greatly benefited many individuals by providing free healthcare,  but that there were still people in the constituency who had not registered or were unable to renew their expired cards.

The Minister emphasized that the NHIS under President John Dramani Mahama’s government was recently reviewed, allowing for more medical conditions to be covered by the scheme.

He said it was prudent for people to register to benefit from the scheme.

He indicated that the scheduled NHIS  registration and renewal exercise was in fulfillment of a campaign promise he made to his constituents.

He said aside from the registration and renewal of NHIS cards,  he was working closely with the District Chief Executive ( DCE) to roll out more development projects and also to engage more youth in various productive economic ventures to help reduce youth unemployment and social vices.

Dr. Sharon Karbo: A Ghanaian physician leading the charge against cancer and chronic disease

At the crossroads of public health innovation and compassionate care stands Dr. Sharon Karbo, a physician, researcher, and health strategist whose work is quietly reshaping health systems in Ghana and gaining global attention.

Whether in the oncology wards of Accra, the underserved communities of northern Ghana, or at the United Nations, her mission is clear: to make health systems work for everyone, especially the forgotten and the underserved.

For many in Bolgatanga and parts of northern Ghana, healthcare once felt like a distant privilege. That changed when Dr. Karbo led research into the prevalence and management of hepatitis B a chronic and often overlooked condition endemic to the region.

Recognising its devastating long-term impact, she launched advocacy campaigns to promote early childhood vaccination and expand public health education. Her work helped bring awareness to a silent epidemic and introduced actionable solutions to curb its spread.

As a senior medical officer at Ghana’s National Center for Radiotherapy and Oncology, Dr. Karbo provided care to more than 1,000 cancer patients annually. Her impact, however, extended beyond clinical numbers.

She became a national voice for equity in cancer treatment, spearheading reforms in internal hospital financing that made treatment accessible for low-income families and helped reduce dropout rates among patients facing financial hardship. Her work restored hope and dignity to some of Ghana’s most vulnerable oncology patients.

As the youngest physician appointed to the Ghana Medical Association’s Building and Development Committee, a national body responsible for shaping the country’s healthcare infrastructure, Dr. Karbo brought a fresh, strategic lens to system-wide challenges.

In this prestigious role, she co-developed visionary plans for regional physician hubs aimed at addressing longstanding service delivery gaps in rural areas. Her strategic input introduced sustainable financing models and emphasised equitable resource allocation.

By injecting innovative thinking into traditionally conservative systems, Dr. Karbo distinguished herself as a next-generation leader transforming national healthcare strategy.

But even beyond the wards and boardrooms, Dr. Karbo is redefining community health leadership in Ghana through her nonprofit, On-Field Life Savers (OFIS).

As founder and executive director, she has transformed OFIS into one of the country’s most dynamic public health advocacy groups tackling the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Under her leadership, OFIS has launched scalable initiatives that equip everyday citizens students, traders, fishermen, and athletes to become active agents of health within their communities.

Through her vision, OFIS has:

• Trained over 600 lay community members to identify and refer hypertension and diabetes cases;
• Established eight Hypertension and Diabetes Advocates (HADA) Hubs to provide community-based screening and education;
• Donated screening equipment such as sphygmomanometers and glucometers to underserved areas;
• Trained over 1,000 schoolchildren and 400 adults in CPR and emergency first aid.

She has also cultivated partnerships with local groups including market associations, fishing cooperatives, football academies, and health NGOs ensuring health knowledge becomes a permanent fixture of community life.

What sets Dr. Karbo apart is not just the scale of her work, but the self-sustaining model she created, which continues to thrive without external funding demonstrating her rare combination of leadership, strategy, and resource mobilization.

Dr. Karbo recently graduated from the highly competitive dual master’s program in Public Health and Business Administration at Johns Hopkins University, one of the world’s most prestigious institutions.

There, she was competitively selected into the Hopkins Business of Health Initiative (HBHI) a highly selective, interdisciplinary program that unites scholars from the Bloomberg School of Public Health, Carey Business School, School of Nursing, and School of Medicine.

As part of this expert community, Dr. Karbo contributes to high-level discourse on achieving a healthier, more equitable America through affordable, high-value healthcare systems, with a focus on how business and policy incentives can transform national health outcomes.

In recognition of her growing influence, Dr. Karbo was invited to participate in the 79th United Nations General Assembly side event on Financing Women and Youth representing the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School in global discussions on equitable health financing, gender equity, and sustainable development.

Her presence spotlighted Africa’s healthcare needs and solutions on a global platform, reinforcing her role as a powerful advocate for health justice.

From moderating international healthcare panels to leading research on equitable cancer care, Dr. Karbo’s focus remains the same: making health systems work better for those who need them most.

Whether it’s her telehealth policy work in Latin America or her public health research on cardiovascular disease and cancer, she continually seeks ways to bridge global innovation with local relevance ensuring no one is left behind in the pursuit of health equity.

What makes Dr. Karbo’s trajectory especially compelling isn’t just her impressive awards and affiliations though they are notable. She was honored with the Relentless Advancement Award, given to individuals who challenge the status quo, persevere through adversity, and uplift entire communities through purpose-driven leadership.

Whether working at the community level or shaping policy at the global stage, she consistently asks: How can this work improve lives back home?

She’s not just representing Ghana on the global stage she’s redefining it. From oncology units to policy panels, from community screenings to United Nations summits, Dr. Sharon Karbo is building the kind of future where health equity isn’t a privilege, but a right. Her impact is rooted in compassion, shaped by experience, and powered by a bold vision: that Ghana and all of Africa deserve health systems that work for everyone.

And she’s not waiting for change. She’s leading it.

HEFRA embarks on assessment tour in Volta region to enforce health facility standards

The Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HEFRA) has commenced a regional assessment tour in the Volta Region as part of its nationwide effort to monitor and enforce compliance with regulatory standards across health facilities in the country.

Led by the Acting Registrar, Dr. Winfred Korletey Baah, the HEFRA delegation paid a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, at his office in Ho.

The visit forms part of the agency’s broader agenda to engage key regional stakeholders and evaluate the operational effectiveness of HEFRA’s decentralised structures.

During the engagement, Dr. Baah explained that the tour seeks to ensure that both public and private health facilities within the region are licensed, properly supervised, and adhere to the minimum standards of care set out by the agency.

He emphasised that the agency’s mission is to safeguard public health by promoting safety, professionalism, and quality assurance in healthcare delivery.

The Regional Minister commended HEFRA for its critical role in protecting the health and well-being of Ghanaians and pledged his office’s full support to the agency’s mandate.

“I commended them for their efforts and reaffirmed my commitment to supporting HEFRA’s work. Health is a crucial sector, and it is important that we uphold the highest standards to guarantee quality care for our people.”

Mr. Gunu added that his administration is committed to supporting all relevant institutions that are working to enhance public service delivery, particularly in the health sector.

The visit also served as a platform for dialogue on emerging challenges in health regulation, including unlicensed operations, inadequate infrastructure, and the need for ongoing staff training. HEFRA is expected to continue its inspection exercises across the region in the coming days, with a view to compiling a comprehensive report on the state of health facility compliance in the Volta Region.

The agency has reiterated its call to health facility operators to regularise their operations and cooperate fully with regulatory processes, stressing that quality health service delivery must be non-negotiable for the advancement of national development goals.