Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former Vice President of the Republic, has settled medical bills for scores of children at the Department of Child Health of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The gesture formed part of activities commemorating his birthday.
Leading a delegation to make the payments on behalf of the former Vice President, Mrs Akosua Manu, a Special Aide at his office, explained that the initiative was inspired by Dr Bawumia’s compassion for children, especially those facing health challenges.
More than GHS 80,000 was donated towards the payment of medical bills and the purchase of essential medicines for the children.
The in-charges of the respective wards received the funds on behalf of the beneficiaries and expressed heartfelt appreciation to Dr Bawumia and his team. They described the donation as a timely intervention that has brought hope and relief to the affected families.
The visit was filled with smiles, gratitude, and heartfelt prayers for Dr Bawumia, whose birthday was marked by spreading kindness and joy to children in need.
A team led by the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), Mr Harry Hanson, has officially handed over a new standby generator set to the National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
During the presentation, Mr Hanson noted that as the premier and oldest hospital in the country, Korle Bu continues to play a critical role in Ghana’s health system.
He explained that the donation follows a request from the hospital for support to enhance its service delivery.
Mr Hanson further stated that the DACF, being a constitutional body mandated to ensure equitable access to essential socio-economic services such as healthcare across the country, found it necessary to respond positively to the Hospital’s appeal.
He expressed confidence that the generator, with a capacity of 500 KVA, will significantly improve power reliability and ensure uninterrupted operations in critical units.
Receiving the generator on behalf of the Hospital, the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Yakubu Seidu Adam, expressed profound appreciation to the DACF for its timely support.
He highlighted that the generator will serve vital departments, including the Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre, the Maternity Department, and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), all of which rely heavily on stable power to carry out life-saving procedures.
Also present at the brief ceremony were the Acting Director of the National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre, Dr Edem Anyigba, and other members of management and staff of both the DACF and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has welcomed a high-level delegation from Novartis Pharmaceuticals in what both parties described as a significant step towards strengthening collaboration in healthcare delivery, research, and innovation.
The CEO of KBTH, Dr Yakubu Seidu Adam, expressed his delight at receiving the Novartis team, describing the company as “one of the biggest pharmaceutical firms in the world.” He extended a warm welcome on behalf of hospital management and reaffirmed KBTH’s commitment to fruitful partnerships that improve patient outcomes.
Chief Commercial Officer Sub Saharan Africa, Janine Coetsee, praised KBTH for its hospitality, adding that Ghana remains one of Novartis’ top priority markets in Sub-Saharan Africa. “While cardiovascular disease remains our primary focus, we are keen to expand into oncology and ophthalmology—fields that are particularly dear to my heart. We also play a key role in glaucoma and retina care,” she said, noting the importance of strong bilateral relations with KBTH.
Dr. Nicola Lister, Head Medical Affairs, Global Health, emphasised Novartis’ dedication to providing cutting-edge medical innovations, including access to life-changing medicines for less privileged patients. “Our mandate is to improve and extend lives, and it is a privilege to share that mission with an institution like Korle Bu,” she said.
Dr. Mwiti Makathimo, Head External Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, Sub Saharan Africa, highlighted Novartis’ past collaborations with KBTH, particularly in capacity building, training, and scientific education. He stressed the company’s intention to deepen research and clinical development ties.
Chief Sustainability Officer, Kurab Zuka, expressed gratitude for the warm reception, adding that Novartis was optimistic about building a successful, long-term partnership with the hospital.
Dr. Adam outlined KBTH’s mandate to provide excellent clinical care despite longstanding challenges. The hospital has pioneered services such as dialysis and kidney transplants—currently conducted with support from visiting doctors—as part of its effort to build local expertise. KBTH is also a hub for medical research.
He acknowledged that while KBTH continues to provide critical services, the hospital faces persistent challenges, including ageing infrastructure, outdated equipment, congested facilities, limited office space and working tools for residents, as well as delayed reimbursements from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). These constraints, he noted, make it difficult for the hospital to consistently meet international standards.
However, Dr. Adam stressed that KBTH is determined to overcome these hurdles by improving diagnostic services, modernising its infrastructure to meet Western standards, and introducing a comprehensive electronic medical record system to streamline patient care. The hospital also plans to strengthen human resource development by creating more sub-specialties, expand opportunities for collaborative research, and ensure the availability of essential medicines. He added that these steps are aimed at positioning KBTH as a modern centre of excellence and at maximising potential partnerships, including with Novartis, for the benefit of the Ghanaian population.
The Novartis delegation included Aliah Davis-McHenry, Global Head Corporate Marketing; Evelyn Ofosu, Medical Affairs, Novartis Ghana; Laurent Sigismondi, Global Head Legal; and Dr Isidore Mendeng, Manager, External Affairs & Strategic Partnerships, West Africa.
They were joined by Dr Harry Akoto, Deputy Director of Medical Services; Cynthia F. Gyakye, Deputy Director of General Services; Munir Alhassan, Director of Administration; Mustapha Salifu, Head of Public Relations; Pius Agbeviadey, Acting Deputy Director of PPME; and Gertrude Kinney, Acting Executive Assistant to the CEO.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to deepen collaboration in healthcare delivery and innovation for the benefit of patients in Ghana and beyond.
In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Walk for Hope 2025 was held to raise awareness and support for children battling cancer.
Participants walked from the Korle Bu Child Health forecourt through the Accra Post Office and surrounding areas, before returning to the Korle Bu Child Health Department, where the programme continued with exercises and engaging activities.
The walk aimed to mobilise public support for the establishment of Ghana’s first-ever 40-bed Paediatric Oncology Treatment Centre, to stand in solidarity with children and families affected by childhood cancer, and to create greater public awareness of the disease.
The event brought together a diverse community of supporters, including Prof. Catherine Segbefia, Head of the Department of Child Health; Prof. Lorna Renner, Head of the Oncology Unit; doctors and nurses from the Department of Child Health; partner clubs; medical students; and staff from various institutions.
Childhood cancer survivors added a creative touch to the programme by showcasing their artistic paintings.
Fun games, such as the lime-on-spoon race, brought joy to children and families.
The Walk for Hope 2025 served as a powerful reminder that when communities unite during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, they inspire hope, compassion, and action for a brighter future.
Staff from the various unit of the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have undergone fire safety training to boost preparedness against emergencies.
The exercise, led by ADO1 Dave Ocran and Leading Fireman Samuel Nkrumah of the Ghana National Fire Service, focused on fire prevention, safe evacuation, and the proper use of extinguishers.
Participants were introduced to the “fire triangle” of oxygen, heat, and fuel, and taught practical survival tips such as crawling to avoid smoke inhalation and the “stop, drop, and roll” technique for extinguishing flames on clothing.
The session also outlined common fire causes including electrical faults, accidents, and arson and stressed the need for clear exit routes in buildings. Staff were trained on the different fire classes and matching extinguishing methods, from water for solid materials to dry chemical powder for gas and liquid fires.
The training combined theory with hands-on practice, leaving staff better equipped to respond quickly and effectively to fire emergencies.
The Founder of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Pastor Dr. Mensa Otabil, has described the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital as a battlefield and assured that his church will provide the necessary ammunition to help it succeed.
Pastor Otabil made these remarks when a delegation from the Hospital, led by the Board Chairman, Prof. Titus Beyuo, paid a courtesy call to express appreciation for the Church’s consistent support over the last sixteen years.
He acknowledged that working in the health sector is rewarding yet frustrating, emphasising that it is a tough environment that requires resilience, patience, and commitment to deliver quality healthcare to Ghanaians.
Pastor Otabil reiterated that ICGC’s sixteen-year support journey with Korle Bu is only the beginning of many more partnerships to be rolled out to ensure the delivery of seamless healthcare services, particularly in supporting paediatric oncology cases.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital, Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam, explained that the visit to the Church was to acknowledge and express profound gratitude for its support to over 2,000 patients. “It is only God who can adequately reward you and your members for this generosity over the years,” Dr. Adam concluded.
The Board Chairman of Korle Bu, Prof. Titus Beyuo, while thanking the Founder of ICGC, noted that the visit was an important step towards recognising and valuing the sixteen-year gesture.
The Korle Bu delegation included: Mrs. Mavis Amerley Frimpong Osei, Board Member; Dr. Frank Owusu-Sekyere, Director of Medical Affairs; Mr. Munir Alhassan, Director of Administration; Mrs. Aimee Akotey, Ag. Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services; Mr. Yehuza Jawula, Director of Human Resources; Mr. Gideon Gawuga, Ag. Director of Finance; Mrs. Felicity Commey, Deputy Director of Supply Chain; Prof. Lorna Awo Renner, Paediatric Oncologist; and Mr. Mustapha Salifu, Head of Public Relations.
