Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital CATH Lab reaches 67% completion

Construction of the Catheterisation Laboratory (CATH Lab) at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has reached 67% completion, with the contractor setting a new handover target of December 2026. The project, which was originally scheduled for completion in August, is seen as a vital step toward improving cardiac care in the Ashanti Region and the northern sector of Ghana. During a recent visit by Parliament’s Select Committee on Health to monitor healthcare infrastructure projects, officials confirmed that the facility will play a critical role in providing timely diagnosis and treatment for a rising number of heart-related conditions.

ADB Construction Limited, the contractor for the project, indicated that significant progress has been made despite the shift in the timeline. According to the project consultant, Abraham Fiscian, nearly all the specialized medical equipment required for the laboratory has already arrived in the country and is being stored safely until it is ready for installation. The only major outstanding item is the lift, which is expected soon. The health ministry aims to integrate the lab into a broader Cardiology and Interventional Centre at KATH to address the dramatic increase in cardiovascular cases that currently force many patients to travel long distances for advanced care.

Despite the physical progress, Professor Titus Beyuo, a member of Parliament's Health Committee, has raised concerns regarding the workforce needed to operate the facility once it opens. He emphasized that the success of the CATH Lab depends not only on the building and equipment but also on having a team of highly trained specialists and technical staff. The absence of such specialized personnel could hinder the lab's ability to provide the lifesaving interventions it was designed for, particularly as heart attack cases and other cardiac emergencies continue to rise.

The completion of the CATH Lab is expected to significantly reduce the burden on patients who previously had to seek advanced cardiac services outside the region. By establishing a localized interventional centre, KATH will be better positioned to offer immediate care, improving survival rates for heart patients. Parliament's Select Committee on Health continues to monitor the site closely to ensure the contractor meets the December 2026 deadline and that the necessary human resource planning is fast-tracked to match the infrastructure development.