The Administrator of Ghana Medical Trust Fund also known as MahamaCares, Madam Obuobia Darko-Opoku, has reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s health infrastructure with the commencement of installation works on a new state-of-the-art Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) at the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Speaking at a site handover ceremony, she said the intervention was prompted by the urgent need to restore life-saving cardiac services at the National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCTC) after its previous Cath Lab was destroyed by fire earlier last year.
“Korle Bu is not just a national asset; it is a regional lifeline,” Madam Darko-Opoku noted, adding that restoring the facility aligns with the Fund’s mandate to support essential healthcare infrastructure.
She described the project as a timely response to the growing burden of cardiac disease and the pressure on healthcare workers.
“The loss of the Cath Lab was a major setback not only for Korle Bu, but for the entire country,” Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam CEO of KBTH said.
“This installation demonstrates our collective resolve to restore specialized, life-saving services swiftly and ensure they are better protected going forward.”
The new Cath Lab, being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health and MahamaCares, is expected to be commissioned by the end of the first quarter of 2026 and will restore the NCTC’s capacity to perform minimally invasive cardiac procedures.
Following the March 7, 2025 fire that destroyed the centre’s 2017-installed Cath Lab, clinicians have operated under severe constraints. “The Cath Lab is the bread and butter of modern cardiology,” said, the Director of NCTC Dr. Kow Enstua-Mensah.
Representing the Ministry of Health, Mr. Kwame Amponsah Sarfo, Head of the Capital Investment Project Management Unit (CIPMU), reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to operate at full capacity. The project will be undertaken by ADB Medical Service Group.
A middle-aged patient, Mrs Doris Adjei, has celebrated her recovery journey at Korle Bu’s Department of Surgery by donating five (5) suction electric apparatus to the facility. She was supported by her mother, Mrs. Victoria Doku, who mentioned that the gesture is their token of gratitude and appreciation to the doctors and nurses of the Department's Neuroscience Unit, for their dedication, professionalism, and compassionate care during her treatment.
Receiving the machines on behalf of the department, Dr. Patrick Bankah, Head of the Department of Surgery, who also doubles as the head of Neurosurgeon Unit, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the patient for giving back. This, he said, demonstrates the hospital's commitment to deliver top-notch healthcare services.
Dr. Bankah also made a passionate appeal to individuals, organizations, and corporate bodies to support the growth and development of the Department of Surgery and the hospital at large. Emphasizing that Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is a national asset requiring the contribution and support of every stakeholder to improve the delivery of quality and seamless healthcare services.
Others present at the ceremony were: Christabel Thompson – Chief Nursing Officer, Elsie Sandra Folie – Principal Nursing Officer, Priscilla Lawer – Principal Administrative Manager, Esther Orji – from Stores.
An international team of medical experts has conducted a specialized training session at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital aimed at improving male circumcision practices and reducing complications, particularly among newborns.
The training was facilitated by Mr. Abdulsalam Mohammed Daaru, Acting Head of Nursing and Midwifery Audit, following his participation in similar training programs in the United States of America. The team, led by Dr. David R. Tomlinson, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, in collaboration with Friends of Adaklu from the Volta Region, brought together 66 doctors, nurses, and midwives. Notable participants included Dr. Wilson Agbavor, Medical Director of Fountain Medical Service; Mr. George Laing, a renowned plastic surgeon; and Chief Nursing Officers Ernestina Asamoah and Mavis Torgbor of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The program sought to promote safer, standardized circumcision procedures in line with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, while also reducing healthcare costs and medical waste. Organizers noted that the initiative was necessary due to reported complications arising from unsafe circumcision practices in several countries, including severe cases of penile injury.
Participants were introduced to a simplified circumcision technique using the AccuCirc device, invented by Dr. David Tomlinson of the Special Circ Center. Dr. Tomlinson originally trained as a mechanical engineer in the U.S. Navy before qualifying as a physician.
The AccuCirc device has proven to be minimally invasive, highly accurate, and safer, with consistent outcomes, reduced costs, and a lower risk of bleeding. It is also widely preferred by healthcare providers.
The training emphasized education rather than enforcement, encouraging health workers to support parents and caregivers in making informed decisions, particularly in communities where circumcision is traditionally delayed until later childhood. Discussions also focused on integrating circumcision education into midwifery and healthcare training curricula, as well as plans to introduce certification and standardization for providers.
Participants expressed appreciation for the hands-on nature of the training and the practical insights gained from the facilitators. Many noted that the use of the AccuCirc device would significantly enhance their confidence and competence in performing safer circumcision procedures, especially for newborns. They also welcomed the opportunity to engage with international experts and share experiences that would improve service delivery across their respective facilities.
Mrs. Aimee Akotey, Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services, commended the organizers, stating that the initiative would significantly improve male circumcision outcomes at the Hospital.
Health Quarters Ghana support to boost Korle Bu expertise – Dr. Nketiah
The Head of the Polyclinic/Family Medicine Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr George Bediako Nketiah, has said that logistical support from Health Quarters Ghana will help unlock and maximise the vast human resource capacity of the hospital to deliver quality healthcare.
According to him, while the expertise to manage critical cases, including palliative care, exists at Korle Bu, inadequate infrastructure and equipment often limit the effective utilisation of this capacity.
“Every critical case that requires palliative care, the expertise is available. We have the people, but what we lack are the tools and infrastructure. This support is therefore critical in enabling us deliver seamless and quality healthcare,” Dr Nketiah stated.
Dr. George Nketiah was speaking at a brief presentation ceremony where Health Quarters Ghana, a social enterprise organisation that promotes healthcare through digital platforms and community interventions, donated medical equipment to the Polyclinic/Family Medicine Department.
The items donated, which is estimated to cost GH50,000, comprised three crank hospital beds, five American-standard manual wheelchairs, five infrared gun thermometers, three pulse oximeters and five blood pressure apparatuses.
Dr Nketiah expressed gratitude to Health Quarters Ghana for the timely support, noting that the department continues to face challenges that affect efficient and effective service delivery. He appealed for sustained assistance to help address the growing healthcare needs of patients.
The Project Lead of Health Quarters Ghana, Dr Gideon Assan, a Family Physician Specialist, said the donation was motivated by his personal attachment to the department, where he had part of his professional training.
He said the organisation’s immediate focus was to support the Geriatric Clinic, with plans to extend assistance to the Palliative Care Clinic.
Dr Assan thanked the organisation’s partners, particularly McSarpong Medical Equipment & Supplies Company Limited, for providing most of the donated items. He also acknowledged the support of team members, including medical professionals, a legal practitioner, and Ghanaian comedian Clemento Suarez, who contributed to the initiative.
Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has taken a significant step toward shaping its future with the launch of its 2026–2030 strategic planning process. The inception meeting, held on 1st December 2025, brought together members of the Strategic Plan Development Committee and other key stakeholders, marking the start of what is expected to be one of the hospital’s most comprehensive planning exercises in recent years.
Presiding over the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam, stressed the urgent need for a clear and purposeful roadmap as the current strategic plan comes to an end this year. He reiterated that without a strong framework, the hospital risks operating without measurable progress, and he outlined the institution’s intention to sharpen its focus on essential areas such as staff development and clinical care.
Dr. Adam emphasised the need for clear clinical standards and called for broad involvement from Heads of Administration, Directors, and external consultants to ensure the plan reflects the full spectrum of the hospital’s operations and ambitions.
Adding depth to the discussion, Mr. Pius Agbeviadey, Acting Deputy Director of PPME, outlined the roadmap for developing the new plan. He revealed that a review of the hospital’s vision and mission is already under way. Korle Bu, he said, is positioning itself to become a leading hub for advanced, specialised, and complex medical care, offering cutting-edge and even experimental procedures often unavailable at typical tertiary hospitals. Evaluating the hospital’s progress since 2020 will form a crucial part of the preparation phase.
The meeting also introduced the structure guiding the planning process. A dedicated Working Group of technical experts will lead the drafting of the plan, with the flexibility to form subcommittees and draw on external expertise as needed. This committee includes Dr. Frank Owusu Sekyere, serving as Chairman, alongside key members such as Mr. Munir Alhassan, Mr. Yehuza Jawula, Dr. Harry Akoto, Mr. Pius Agbeviadey, Dr. Philip Amo, Dr. Bernice Addom, Dr. Elorm Otchi, Dr. Lloyd Baffoe, Dr. Francisca Zigah, Mr. Benjamin Amu Doodu, Mr. Mustapha Salifu, Mr. Felix Debrah, and Mr. Khalil Bawah, with Miss Ivy McArthur-Danquah acting as Secretary. Their diverse expertise spans administration, clinical care, public health, biomedical engineering, pharmacy, quality improvement, and communications, ensuring that the strategic plan will reflect the hospital’s full operational spectrum.
With the planning process now officially under way and guided by this dedicated committee, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital enters a pivotal moment in its institutional journey, one that promises to define its direction, ambitions, and priorities over the next five years.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam, has inducted 20 Directors, Deputy Directors, and Heads of Department into office. The ceremony, held on the hospital premises, was supported by the central management team.
In his remarks, Dr. Adam noted that leadership at the hospital is a continuum, with each leader expected to play their part and pave the way for others to succeed. “It is therefore important for the new leaders to strive to make an impact before they exit office,” he emphasized.
He reminded the inductees that they form part of the hospital’s core leadership and stressed the importance of working collectively, highlighting his strong belief in teamwork. According to him, only through collaboration can they help transform the hospital’s fortunes.
Dr. Adam congratulated all 20 newly inducted management members and encouraged them to put their best foot forward. He reaffirmed the commitment of the central management team to support them in their new roles. The inductees are:
1. Mrs. Esinam Aimée Aku Akotey - Director of Nursing and Midwifery
2. Mr. Gideon Kwame Gawuga - Deputy Director of Finance
3. Mr. Philip Elikem Tamakloe - Deputy Director of Finance
4. Mr. Nathan Kwasi Yirenkyi Coompson - Deputy Director of Pharmacy
5. Dr. Shekh Ibrahim Ibn Saana - Deputy Director of Pharmacy
6. Mrs. Gertrude Kinney - Deputy Director of Administration
7. Mrs. Cynthia Boateng - Deputy Director of Administration
8. Ms. Cynthia Frema Gyakye - Deputy Director of General Services
9. Ms. Felicity A. Commey - Deputy Director of Supply Chain
10. Dr. Harry Akoto - Deputy Director of Medical Affairs
11. Dr. George Bediako Nketiah - Head, Polyclinic/Family Medicine
12. Dr. Afua Owusua Darkwah Abrahams - Head, Pathology
13. Dr. Hafisatu Gbadamosi - Head, Radiology
14. Dr. Naa Naamuah M. Tagoe - Head, EYE
15. Dr. Amma Benneh-Akwasi Kuma - Head, Haematology & Clinical Genetics
16. Prof. James Edward Mensah - Head, Urology & Nephrology
17. Dr. Andrew Kwabena Adade - Head, Anaesthesia
18. Dr. Kodwo Oduro Nkromah - Head, Medicine & Therapeutics
19. Dr. Hannah Naa Gogwe Ayetteh - Head, Radiotherapy & Nuclear Medicine
20. Mr. Misbah Muhammad Samir - Head, Physiotherapy
Kindly accord them the necessary support and cooperation.
The Chief Executive Officer of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam, has announced that management is working feverishly to address the accommodation challenges confronting staff of the hospital. He revealed that several companies have submitted proposals to construct staff accommodation units, which are currently being evaluated.
According to him, the company with the most responsive offer will be selected and engaged to help reduce the long-standing housing difficulties faced by staff. Dr. Adam made this known at the 2025 Nurses Staff Durbar.
At the durbar, Dr. Adam further assured nursing staff that the eventual allocation of accommodation would be transparent and fair, stressing that no staff member would need personal connections to secure housing. He emphasised that fairness and equity remain central to the hospital’s staff welfare policies.
The engagement, which brought together management and nursing staff, also served as a platform to reflect on the hospital’s performance in 2025 and outline priorities for 2026. Dr. Adam reminded staff that the hospital’s core mandate remains the delivery of excellent clinical care, describing nurses as the “face of the hospital” because they shape patients’ first impressions.
He commended their dedication and urged them to maintain professionalism, teamwork and vigilance, particularly to avoid actions or omissions that could lead to legal challenges.
The Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services, Aimeé Akotey, underscored the importance of standardised uniforms to ensure easy identification of staff, noting that this would enhance patient confidence and improve the quality of care.
She added that the CEO’s presence at the durbar demonstrated management’s strong interest in nursing service delivery, staff wellbeing and job satisfaction.
During an interactive session, nurses raised concerns about transportation, security, Medicare processes and limited bed capacity at the Psychiatry Unit.
Responding to these issues, Dr. Adam assured staff that the hospital would address the deteriorating perimeter wall to curb unauthorised access, review transportation options as staff numbers increase, and expand the Psychiatry Unit beyond its current 12-bed capacity. He also clarified that emergency care at the hospital does not require upfront payment.
Additional clarifications were provided by the Director of Medical Affairs, Dr. Frank Owusu-Sekyere, who addressed concerns about the quality of consumables, the use of beds during examinations and ongoing quality assurance measures.
The durbar was attended by key management members, including the Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services, Aimeé Akotey, and the Head of Public Relations, Mustapha Salifu, alongside nursing staff, reinforcing management’s commitment to open dialogue and collaborative efforts to improve working conditions and patient care at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have brokered a partnership aimed at establishing and strengthening a mutually beneficial relationship.
This followed a courtesy visit on Friday, December 19, 2025, to the GETFund Administrator by a delegation from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, led by the Director of Administration, Mr. Munir Alhassan, and members of the Central Management Team.
The Administrator of the Fund, Mr. Paul Adjei, pledged the Fund’s support to ensure that, together with the Hospital, they change the narrative in the provision of seamless, cutting-edge, and quality healthcare to clients, including but not limited to GETFund staff.
The Administrator also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the training of healthcare professionals. He noted that, if properly executed, this initiative would help reduce the need for foreign travel in search of medical care.
“Korle Bu is strategically positioned to lead in healthcare, with its highly experienced and skilled medical professionals. We are therefore ready to support anything that will bring mutual benefits,” Mr. Adjei emphasized.
He further called for improved systems and processes to reduce bureaucratic hurdles that serve as serious bottlenecks to quality service delivery.
For his part, Mr. Munir Alhassan, on behalf of the Chief Executive of the Hospital, assured GETFund that Korle Bu would expedite the drafting of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), as agreed, to ensure the speedy implementation of the proposed roadmap.
Other members of the Korle Bu delegation included the Director of Pharmacy, Dr. Charles Ofei Palm; the Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services, Mrs. Aimee Akotey; and the Head of Public Relations, Mr. Mustapha Salifu.
The Eye Centre of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) successfully organized free cataract surgeries for about 64 patients, aimed at restoring sight to individuals affected by cataract-related visual impairment.
A total of 100 patients were screened during the preoperative assessment period. Following medical evaluation, 64 patients were deemed fit and successfully underwent the cataract surgery. The remaining 36 patients were deferred due to underlying health conditions that require further medical management before surgery.
This initiative forms part of the hospital’s ongoing commitment to improving eye health and reducing avoidable blindness, particularly among underserved populations.
Cataract remains one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in Ghana, with many affected individuals unable to access surgical treatment due to financial constraints. To support such patients, the Eye Centre, through strategic partnerships, periodically organizes sponsored cataract surgeries to ensure equitable access to quality eye care.
The free cataract surgery was scheduled to coincide with the festive season, reinforcing the hospital’s goal of improving quality of life and social participation for beneficiaries. The exercise was planned for December 19, 2025. The screening session began on December 8th and ran through to December 18th, 2025.
The surgery took place at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital's Eye Centre. A valid National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) card and being at least 18 years old were the prerequisites for eligibility.
The surgical procedures were led by Dr. Andrew Elikem Akafo, Specialist Ophthalmologist, the team lead, and head of Outreach Services at the Eye Centre. He was supported by a team of experienced ophthalmic surgeons.
The team was further assisted by resident doctors in training and dedicated nurses in all the various units, whose contributions ensured smooth and efficient surgical outcomes.
According to Dr. Akafo, the outreach was intentionally organized as a “gift of sight” during the Christmas season, symbolizing hope and renewed life for beneficiaries.
Dr. Akafo highlighted that the outreach program was made possible through a collaboration between Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and an international non-governmental organization under the “Cure Blindness Project.” This partnership continues to play a vital role in supporting patients who cannot afford cataract surgery, thereby significantly reducing the burden of preventable blindness.
Following the surgery, patients were transferred to the recovery care room, where they were closely monitored. Comprehensive postoperative education was provided, focusing on proper eye care and hygiene, medication adherence and activity restrictions to promote healing.
Patients were also given dark glasses to protect the eye from flashes of light and post-surgical medication to ensure optimal recovery.
The free cataract surgery initiative successfully restored sight to 64 individuals, greatly improving their independence, productivity, and overall quality of life.
The Eye Centre remains committed to conducting similar outreach programs as part of its broader mission to eliminate avoidable blindness in Ghana. Continued collaboration with partners and stakeholders is essential to sustaining and expanding these life-changing interventions.
A three-member delegation from Rapid Courier Ghana, led by the Director of Operations, Mrs. Dinah Brandful, has donated 350 biohazard medical bins to support effective waste management in Korle Bu.
In her remarks, Mrs. Brandful explained that the company recognizes the increasing incidence of secondary infections in hospital wards, often caused by improper disposal of medical waste during procedures. This concern, she noted, motivated Rapid Courier to make the donation as part of its efforts to help reduce secondary infections within the hospital.
The Executive Partner, Madam Adelaide Amoateng, also reaffirmed Rapid Courier’s commitment to contributing to healthcare delivery in Ghana, one step at a time. She stated that the company’s headquarters is located in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States of America, with over 15 branches across Africa including Ghana’s branch which is situated at the Kotoka International Airport.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the hospital’s management, the Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services , Mrs. Aimee Akotey, described the gesture as timely, especially at the beginning of the year. She expressed appreciation to Rapid Courier and emphasized that the biohazard bins would go a long way in strengthening the hospital’s fight against secondary infections.
