Titus Beyuo urges training for KATH cardiac center personnel

Prof. Titus Kofi Beyuo, the Board Chairman of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Member of Parliament for Lambussie, has called on the government and contractors to prioritize the completion and staffing of the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (CATH Lab) at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). During an oversight visit to the project site, Beyuo emphasized that the physical infrastructure must be matched by a robust human resource strategy to ensure the facility is ready to serve patients immediately upon commissioning. He commended President John Mahama for the initiative to expand specialized cardiac services beyond Accra, aiming to bridge the gap in life-saving healthcare accessibility.

Beyuo specifically urged the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to initiate specialized training programs for nurses, technicians, and engineers who will maintain and operate the sophisticated equipment. He recommended that personnel be sent for advanced training in countries with established excellence in cardiovascular care. This proactive approach, he argued, is essential to avoid the commissioning of facilities that remain idle due to a lack of technical expertise. The Member of Parliament noted that training engineers is just as critical as training medical staff, as they are responsible for the long-term maintenance of high-tech diagnostic and surgical tools.

The urgency of the project was underscored by the recent passing of a doctor at KATH, an event that highlighted the critical need for advanced cardiac care in the Ashanti Region. Beyuo noted that currently, patients in the northern and middle belts of Ghana often have to travel to Accra for such services, which can lead to preventable deaths due to travel delays. By completing the KATH laboratory and similar projects planned for Tamale, the government aims to create a decentralised network of cardiac care that serves as a regional hub for the Ashanti Region and its surroundings.

Looking forward, Prof. Beyuo stressed that the success of the nation’s cardiovascular health strategy depends on a coordinated effort between the government, hospital boards, and contractors. He called for the project to remain on schedule to meet the growing demand for heart-related treatments. The completion of these labs is expected to significantly reduce the burden on Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and ensure that high-quality, specialized care is available to all Ghanaians, regardless of their geographical location.