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Ho Teaching Hospital Eyes Medical Tourism as CEO Highlights Growth and Challenges

By Jones Anlimah

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH), Dr. John Tampuori, has reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to becoming a premier medical tourism destination in Ghana, citing progress in key healthcare indicators despite challenges.

Speaking at the hospital’s 2024 Annual Performance Review, Dr. Tampuori said the facility recorded a significant increase in outpatient department (OPD) attendance, rising from 211,104 in 2023 to 212,129 in 2024. However, he acknowledged concerns over increased attrition among staff, with separations rising from 63 in 2023 to 83 in 2024.

“Despite the increase in human resources, we have also experienced an increase in attrition and separation. But we remain steadfast in our efforts to retain and attract the best talent to deliver innovative tertiary healthcare, medical education, and research,” he said.

The theme for the 2024 Annual Performance Review, “Focusing on Stakeholder Participation in Innovative Tertiary Healthcare for Medical Tourism,” also featured discussions on the hospital’s medical tourism potential and the need to promote it.

Dr. Tampuori emphasized the hospital’s strategic roadmap, which includes adopting international healthcare standards, expanding community outreach, and investing in research and development.

“As we move forward together, I am confident that we can transcend challenges and transform this hospital into a premier medical tourism hub, generating significant foreign exchange revenue for this country,” he added.

The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, commended the hospital’s efforts and pledged the regional administration’s support in achieving the medical tourism vision.

“To achieve this, we will need to work together, leveraging our collective expertise and resources to drive innovation and improvement. We will need to foster stronger partnerships between government, healthcare providers, and communities to ensure that our healthcare system is responsive to the needs of all Ghanaians,” he said.

He added, “I am pleased to announce that the government will be launching a new initiative aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving access to specialized care, as stated in paragraph 686 of the 2025 budget. Ho Teaching Hospital will be upgraded to provide comprehensive specialist services, improving regional access to advanced medical care. This initiative will include investments in new equipment, training programs for healthcare professionals, allied health staff, support staff, and community outreach initiatives. In addition, the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme by our government will ensure adequate funding to support our people in accessing more healthcare.”

The Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Chrysantus Kubio, also lauded the hospital’s performance but stressed the need to address maternal mortality, which saw a slight increase from 18 deaths in 2023 to 20 in 2024. Dr. Kubio further underscored the need for increased stakeholder engagement to improve healthcare delivery and attract international patients to Ho Teaching Hospital.

The review highlighted several gains, including a rise in bed occupancy from 68.9% in 2023 to 73.5% in 2024, an increase in radiology procedures from 19,622 to 20,050, and improved neonatal outcomes, with deaths reducing from 63 to 55 per 1,000 live births. However, challenges such as the reduction in live births and the slight decline in the number of surgeries performed were also highlighted.

The Coordinator of Medical Tourism at Ho Teaching Hospital, Mr. Anthony Bells Kafui, delivered a presentation on the hospital’s medical tourism potential, highlighting its specialized services, infrastructure, and prospects for attracting international patients.

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Ghana’s Health Minister reaffirms government’s commitment to key healthcare projects

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has reiterated the government’s dedication to ensuring the successful implementation and completion of key health projects, including the COVID-19 response initiative and the Program-for-Results (PforR) project.

He made this assurance during a debriefing session marking the conclusion of an implementation support mission led by Dorothy Chan, the World Bank Task Team Leader.

The mission evaluated the progress of both projects, focusing on infrastructure development, environmental and social safeguards, financial management, and procurement.

Addressing stakeholders, Mr. Kwabena Akandoh acknowledged the intensive nature of the mission and commended participants for their commitment.

He emphasized the ministry’s determination to strengthen collaboration with key agencies, particularly the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA), to fully operationalize the Network of Practice and Model Health Centers.

The Minister assured the World Bank team that all agreed-upon actions and timelines from the mission would be adhered to strictly, ensuring the smooth execution of these projects.

In a welcome address, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health reiterated the ministry’s commitment to addressing challenges and completing outstanding activities on schedule.

He expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its ongoing support through regular Implementation Support Missions, which he noted are essential for evaluating project progress and finding effective solutions.

He stressed that the collective responsibility of all stakeholders is essential to achieving expected results and ensuring that these investments lead to meaningful improvements in healthcare access and quality for all Ghanaians.

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Dr. Louisa Satekla urges deployment of more dentists to hinterlands

By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave

Dental surgeon and FDI Global Ambassador for World Oral Health Day, Dr. Louisa Satekla has emphasized the need for improved oral healthcare in Ghana, particularly in rural areas.

According to Dr. Satekla, the majority of dentists in Ghana are concentrated in urban cities like Accra and Kumasi, leaving rural villages without access to dental care. ‘’Most dentists are found in the main cities like Accra and Kumasi so we’re training more dentists and encouraging them to go into the hinterlands’’, she reiterated.

Dr. Satekla stressed on the GTV breakfast show, the importance of early detection of oral cancer and encouraged people not to wait until they experience pain before visiting a dentist. She also advised individuals to practice good oral hygiene by brushing their teeth twice daily and flossing regularly.

To promote oral health awareness, Dr. Satekla advocated for the introduction of oral health education into the national curriculum, enabling children to learn about the importance of oral health from a young age. ‘’We’re pushing for more initiatives like the introduction of oral health education into our national curriculum so our children can be intentional about their oral health’’, Dr. Satekla mentioned.

This initiative aims to encourage intentional oral health practices among children. She further highlighted that they try to sound the alarm every year and have gone beyond waiting till the month of March to create awareness.

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Volta Region moves from moderate to high healthcare performance – Regional Health Director

By: Jones Anlimah

The Volta Region has made significant strides in healthcare delivery, moving from a moderately performing region to a highly performing one, according to the Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Chrysantus Kubio. Speaking at the 2024 annual health sector performance review, he credited the progress to strengthened primary healthcare systems and collaborative efforts among stakeholders.

The region’s improved performance was highlighted in a presentation by the Bono Regional Reviewing Team, which revealed that the Volta Region scored an overall 4.2, an increase from last year’s 3.8. This improvement reflects ongoing efforts to enhance primary healthcare service delivery and accessibility to quality healthcare across the region.

The 2024 annual health sector performance review, held under the theme “Strengthening the Primary Healthcare System for Improved Access to Quality Healthcare Service Delivery: The Role of Networks of Practice,” brought together key stakeholders, including health professionals, policymakers, and development partners, to assess progress and strategize on further improvements.

The Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Chrysantus Kubio, emphasized the importance of sustaining these gains. “As we deliberate, let us explore ways to strengthen our primary healthcare structures further to ensure equitable access and improve health outcomes for all,” he stated. He acknowledged the commitment of health workers and stakeholders in achieving this milestone.

The Volta Regional Minister, Mr. James Gunu, commended health workers for their efforts in delivering quality healthcare. “Strengthening primary healthcare is crucial, and the government remains committed to improving infrastructure, leveraging technology, and enhancing service delivery to ensure accessible and effective healthcare for all,” he assured.

Adding to the discussion, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Professor Lydia Aziato, called for policies that motivate healthcare workers at the community level. “Mostly, we forget our brothers and sisters who are at the primary healthcare level. Regional Minister, I am saying that the intentional policy should include how we can motivate staff who sacrifice to go to the community level to work,” she urged. She further emphasized the need for investment in training specialized healthcare professionals to prevent the overconcentration of expertise at the regional and national levels.

Professor Anthony Adofo Ofosu, a former Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, underscored the need for a comprehensive approach to healthcare system development. “We should move beyond this small, small approach. Let’s start somewhere, get the networks functioning, and then provide the needed resources. The health system cannot be fixed in parts. You need to strengthen all levels—hospitals, health centers, and CHPS compounds—to ensure sustainability,” he noted.

The review meeting underscored the critical role of networks of practice in strengthening primary healthcare and improving service delivery. Participants called for sustained government investment in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, and service delivery to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare across the Volta Region.

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Tamale Teaching Hospital holds performance review meeting

By Joyce Kantam Kolamong

The Ministry of Health has outlined its plan to revamp the country’s healthcare system, with a strong focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure. According to the Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, this initiative involves constructing new hospitals, renovating existing ones, and equipping facilities with modern technology.

Speaking at the 2025 annual performance review of the Tamale Teaching Hospital in Tamale, Dr. Taher emphasized that the ultimate goal is to achieve universal health coverage, ensuring that every citizen has access to quality healthcare services regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.

To support this goal, the government is investing in the training and continuous development of healthcare workers. Recognizing the importance of a well-trained and motivated workforce in delivering high-quality care, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is also being expanded to increase access to healthcare services. A key focus of this expansion is ensuring prompt reimbursement to service providers.

Dr. Taher highlighted the “Mahama Cares” initiative, launched by the Minister for Health, as part of efforts to provide financial support to vulnerable populations. While details of the initiative are still emerging, he indicated that it has the potential to address the significant issue of healthcare affordability in the country.

Hospital Achievements and Challenges

Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Dr. Adam Atiku, highlighted significant strides the hospital has made in improving healthcare outcomes. He noted that the hospital recorded a 28% reduction in maternal mortality, dropping from 79 cases in 2023 to 57 in 2024. Additionally, there was a 17% decrease in all-cause mortalities in the Paediatrics and Child Health Department.

Dr. Atiku credited the hospital’s collaboration with development partners, such as AMPATH Ghana and the Wessex Global Stroke Partnership, for these improvements. These partnerships have enabled the establishment of specialized units, such as the Stroke Unit, and provided advanced training for healthcare professionals.

Research and innovation, he said, remain key areas of focus for the hospital. Various studies and projects are underway, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to improving healthcare outcomes and advancing medical knowledge.

However, despite these promising initiatives, Dr. Atiku acknowledged that challenges persist. Chronic water shortages, unstable power supply, and financial burdens continue to strain the hospital’s resources. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism that with the government’s commitment and the support of development partners, these challenges can be overcome.

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Nigeria and Kenya among nations running out of HIV drugs – WHO

Eight countries – six of them in Africa, including Nigeria, Kenya and Lesotho – could soon run out of HIV drugs following the US government’s recent decision to pause foreign aid, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said.

US President Donald Trump announced the freeze on his first day in office in January as part of a review into government spending.

“Disruptions to HIV programmes could undo 20 years of progress,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned.

It could also lead to more than 10 million additional cases of HIV and three million HIV-related deaths, he added, noting this was “more than triple the number of deaths last year”.

Nigeria, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso and Mali – as well as Haiti and Ukraine – would run out of live-saving anti-retroviral (ARV) medicines in the coming months, Dr Tedros said at a press conference on Monday.

Trump’s executive order paused foreign aid support for an initial duration of 90 days in line with his “America First” foreign policy.

It has affected health programmes around the world, leaving shipments of critical medical supplies, including HIV drugs, greatly hampered.

The majority of the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) programmes have since been terminated.

Despite a waiver issued in February for the US’s ground-breaking HIV programme, its work has severely impacted.

Known as the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar), it relies on logistical support from USAID and other organisations hit by the turmoil.

It has led to the “immediate stop to services for HIV treatment, testing and prevention in more than 50 countries”, Dr Tedros said.

Launched in 2003, Pepfar has enabled some of the world’s poorest people to access anti and has been credited with saving more than 26 million lives worldwide.

During his first days in office, Trump also announced that the US would pull out of the WHO, affecting funding for the global health agency.

“The US administration has been extremely generous over many years. And of course, it’s within its rights to decide what it supports and to what extent,” Dr Tedros said.

“But the US also has a responsibility to ensure that if it withdraws direct funding for countries, it’s done in an orderly and humane way that allows them to find alternative sources of funding.

An estimated 25 million people are living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, which is more than two-thirds of the global total 38 million people living with the disease.

In Nigeria, nearly two million people are living with HIV, with many relying on receiving aid-funded medicines.

Kenya has the seventh-largest number of people living with HIV in the world, at around 1.4 million, according to WHO data.

“We ask the US to reconsider its support for global health, which not only saves lives around the world, it also makes the US safer by preventing outbreaks from spreading internationally,” Dr Tedros said.

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SOURCE: BBC NEWS

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Prioritise your children’s kidney health – Specialists tell parents

By: Francis Abedi

In a concerted effort to stem the rising tide of kidney disease among children, health experts in Ghana are calling on parents to take a more active role in shaping their children’s lifestyles. This urgent appeal was made at this year’s World Kidney Day 2025, celebration on March 13th, with the theme “Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health.”

The day, globally recognized, aims to amplify awareness about kidney health and mitigate the impact of kidney disease and its associated complications. In Ghana, the urgency is particularly pronounced, with many cases remaining undetected until advanced stages.

“Kidney disease in children is a growing concern in Ghana, with the major causes being attributed to improper healthy lifestyles,” emphasized Dr. Robert Yeboah, Programs Director for Health Heart Africa PATH, during a sensitization exercise organized in partnership with Kidney Health International and the Ghana Kidney Association. The event, held for Senior High School students in Kumasi, focused on educating them about the vital link between lifestyle and kidney health.

Dr. Yeboah stressed the critical role parents play in safeguarding their children’s well-being. “Parents must pay serious attention to their wards’ lifestyles, especially the kind of diet given to them,” he stated. He specifically cautioned against excessive consumption of carbonated and caffeinated drinks, highlighting their detrimental effects on children’s kidneys.

“Parents must pay attention to the kind of food they give to their children, it is not all kinds of soft drinks are good for children, especially those carbonated drinks and other caffeine-related drinks. It is also important to monitor the physical appearance of your children to detect any changes in swollen feet, changes in urine for prompt report for medical diagnosis.”

Dr. Akua Bakoma Agyeman, a pediatric nephrologist at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, echoed Dr. Yeboah’s sentiments, emphasizing the pivotal role of early detection. “A child’s lifestyle plays a key role in maintaining healthy kidneys, and therefore parents play a crucial role. Early reporting of kidney-related diseases helps to prevent them. It is therefore important for parents to report early warning signs when identified especially changes in children’s urine output, feet and faces for early diagnosis,” she asserted.

The sensitization program, a part of the Healthy Heart Africa initiative, underscored the importance of promoting healthy habits such as balanced diets, regular physical activity, and limiting screen time. These lifestyle adjustments are crucial in preventing kidney disease and ensuring children lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

In Ghana, where kidney disease poses a significant public health challenge, the message is clear: parents must prioritize their children’s kidney health. Parents can play a decisive role in protecting their children from this debilitating disease by fostering healthy lifestyles and recognising early warning signs. The call to action is now, urging families to embrace the 2025 World Kidney Day theme: “Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health.”

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People who are socially disadvantaged may age faster, new study finds

People with a good socioeconomic background tend to show fewer signs of biological ageing, according to a new study.

Researchers from the UK studied different cohorts of patients and looked at 83 diseases known to be linked to ageing, such as osteoporosis, cataracts, or an enlarged prostate and blood tests measuring proteins circulating in the blood’s plasma. 

They then analysed the patients’ data related to their social and economic background such as education level, quality of neighbourhood life, or household income.

Those who were the least privileged showed a 20 per cent higher risk of disease compared to their more privileged counterparts, according to the findings published in the journal Nature Medicine.

“For decades, we’ve known that social advantage is linked to better health, but our findings suggest it may also slow down the ageing process itself,” Mika Kivimaki, a professor at the University College London (UCL) and the study’s lead author, said in a statement.

“Our study highlights that healthy ageing is an achievable goal for society as a whole, as it is already a reality for people with favourable socioeconomic conditions,” she added.

For certain conditions, the disparity is particularly stark, with a risk twice as high in the most disadvantaged group for type 2 diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke compared to the most advantaged.

Proteins impacted by socioeconomic situation

Researchers also looked at the proteins in the blood’s plasma. 

“Ageing is reflected in the makeup of proteins in our blood, which includes thousands of circulating proteins linked to biological ageing processes across multiple organ systems,” said Tony Wyss-Coray, a professor at Stanford University in the US and one of the study’s authors. 

The levels of 14 plasma proteins were affected by a person’s socioeconomic situation, including proteins known to regulate inflammatory and cellular stress responses, both linked to ageing.

The study’s findings suggest that upward social mobility can positively influence biological ageing.

Individuals who started with low education but later had middle or high social status showed more favourable protein profiles.

The studies pooled by researchers are observational and can’t determine cause-and-effect, however, the authors suggested factors such as stress, smoking, diet, exercise, and access to healthcare could play a role. 

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SOURCE: EURONEWS

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Anglogold Health Foundation records 340 chronic kidney diseases annually

By Nicholas Osei-Wusu

The Anglogold Ashanti Health Foundation, formerly AGC Hospital, the main referral hospital in the Adansi traditional area in the Ashanti region, has been recording about 340 cases of kidney diseases annually for sometime now.

The AGA Health Foundation is the main referral hospital in the entire Adansi traditional area which covers five administrative districts and Municipalities in the Ashanti region.

The figure constitutes about 20 percent of the facility’s yearly admissions thereby giving the Management a serious cause to worry about the prevalence of kidney diseases within its catchment area.

Incidentally, it is estimated that only one out of every 10 persons in the enclave is aware of his or her kidney health.

A Health Physician Specialist at the AGA Health Foundation, Dr. Suleimana Swabil disclosed this at Anyinam in the Obuasi Municipality at a Mini Clinic to mark this year’s ‘World Kidney Day’.

“Most often, we tend to forget them. But, kidneys’ role in maintaining is nothing short of extraordinary. Our kidneys help filter over 50 gallons of blood every single day. The kidneys work every second, every minute, every hour in 24 hours in seven days. It does this and removes toxins, it balances our body’s fluid.”

“In AGA Health Foundation, 2 out of 10 persons admitted to the medical wards have chronic kidney diseases, that is about 340 of our patients in a year, have one form of chronic kidney diseases. However, there’s good news. The good news is that when we go for regular screening, we watch our lifestyle, we reduce our alcohol intake, we reduce how often we take certain medications, especially pain killers, we exercise frequently, we eat a well balanced diet, we quit smoking, we avoid sedentary lifestyle, we take our health into our own hands are some of the ways of preventing kidney diseases”, the Physician Specialist advised.

The Mini Clinic was an improvised hospital brought to the doorstep of the people of Anyinam and the nearby communities in the Obuasi Municipality of the Ashanti region.

It aimed at encouraging the people to check their health status while making primary healthcare easily accessible and affordable as it was provided at no monetary cost to them.

Even though the people were provided various care including eye, dental, X-ray, HIV and AIDS, with pharmaceutical services to cater for ailment such as malaria, the focus was on screening for kidney health.

This service, which was very well patronized by the health seekers, involved hypertension, blood sugar and urine analysis to determine the health status of the patrons’ kidneys with those diagnosed of the disease referred to the AGA Health Foundation for further treatment.

The Mini Clinic organized by Anglogold Ashanti in partnership with the Ghana Health Service, the Otumfuo Osei Tutu Foundation among other organizations.

The Superintendent, Stakeholder and Land Management of Anglogold Ashanti, Emmanuel Massey, reading an address on behalf of the Community Relations Manager, disclosed that, the Obuase Mine is committed to turning the catchment communities into healthy and thriving ones with impactful health programmes, policies and projects.

“At Anglogold Ashanti, our purpose is to mine to empower people and advance societies. One way we contribute to this mission is through the initiatives under our 10-year socio-economic development plan, which seeks to among other things, improves access to quality healthcare services and delivery within our host communities”, he said.

An Assistant Director at the Obuasi Municipal Assembly, Henry Yeboah, citing the untimely death of his former schoolmate from kidney failure, advised the people to take their health serious and seek periodic checkup for early detection of problems.

First commemorated in 2006, World Kidney Day, as a joint initiative of the International Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundation, is a global health awareness campaign that causes public education about the importance of kidney health, the causes of kidney diseases, impacts on the individual, families and society as well as preventive measures.

It is commemorated on the 2nd Thursday of March every year with this year’s focusing on “Are Your Kidneys Okay?-Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health.”

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Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia at highest level in over 25 years

A new report from global health authorities has warned about the rise of measles after a high number of cases in 2024.

Europe saw the highest number of measles cases in more than 25 years in 2024, with more than 120,000 cases reported in the region.

That figure was double the number of cases in 2023, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

Measles cases in the European region, which includes parts of Central Asia, have been “generally declining” in Europe since a peak in 1997 with 216,000 cases, WHO and UNICEF said. There was a low of 4,440 cases in 2016.

UNICEF said that about 40 per cent of measles infections in Europe and Central Asia were in children under 5 and that more than half of all people sickened by measles had to be hospitalised.

Measles is among the world’s most infectious diseases and is spread by an airborne virus.

Two doses of the measles vaccine are estimated to be 97 per cent effective in preventing the disease, which typically infects the respiratory system and causes symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash.

In serious cases, measles can cause pneumonia, encephalitis, dehydration, and blindness.

“Measles is back, and it’s a wake-up call,” Dr Hans Kluge, WHO’s Europe director, said in a statement. “Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security,” he added.

Romania had the most measles infections, at more than 30,000, followed by Kazakhstan, which reported 28,147 people with measles.

WHO and UNICEF noted that in both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, fewer than 70 per cent and 50 per cent of children in those countries respectively have been vaccinated against measles for at least the past five years.

Importance of high levels of vaccination

Scientists estimate that more than 95 per cent of the population needs to be immunised to prevent outbreaks.

“Measles is pretty much completely vaccine-preventable. Two doses of the measles vaccines prevent infection, illness, and thus transmission,” said Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton in the UK.

“With a high global uptake, the world could eradicate this disease. However, measles is incredibly infectious, more so than for example the COVID-19 variants. With even slight declines in vaccine uptake, outbreaks are inevitable,” he added in a statement.

After a drop in immunisation coverage during the coronavirus pandemic, measles cases surged in 2023 and 2024, with vaccination rates in numerous countries still lower than what they were before COVID-19 hit.

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