A Long-Awaited Medical Milestone
By Alex Ababio
In a move poised to transform cardiac care in Ghana’s Ashanti region, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) is preparing to commission its first-ever catheterisation (CATH) laboratory within the next two to four months. This development marks the end of a seven-decade-long gap in the hospital’s infrastructure and signals a new era in its ability to diagnose and treat heart disease.
Addressing a Critical Deficit
Since its founding, KATH—one of Ghana’s foremost referral hospitals—has operated without a CATH lab. Despite catering to patients from 12 of the country’s 16 regions, the facility was unable to offer the minimally invasive procedure essential for detecting and treating narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. The gap gained public significance following the sudden passing of Dr. Kwame Adu Ofori, an Emergency Physician and former KATH staff, who died of a heart attack on July 6. His death spotlighted the urgent need for cardiac diagnostics at the facility.
At the 2025 Mid-Year Performance Review, KATH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paa Kwasi Baidoo confirmed that procurement for a fully outfitted CATH lab is underway in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). “The Ministry … through the NHIA, has taken it upon itself. It is not just a gadget; it is a complete system made up of various components. Procurement processes have begun, and within the next couple of months, we hope to see it completed,” he stated.
KATH at a Glance: Seven Decades of Service, Challenges, and Evolution
From Segregated Roots to a Teaching Hospital
Founded as the Kumasi Central Hospital in 1954 (commissioned in early 1955), the institution was built by British firm GEE, Walker & Slater Ltd. to address growing healthcare needs in Kumasi and the Ashanti region . In 1957, it was renamed Komfo Anokye Hospital in tribute to the legendary Ashanti priest whose unmovable sword lies embedded in the grounds—a national symbol of unity and healing .
By 1975, the hospital had evolved into a teaching hospital, linked to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s School of Medical Sciences. It now serves as a critical training centre for undergraduates, nurses, pharmacists, dental students, and postgraduate medical specialists—accredited by the West African College of Surgeons .
Scale, Specialisation, and Infrastructure
Today, KATH stands as Ghana’s second-largest hospital with approximately 1,000 to 1,200 beds—up from the initial 500 at inception—and handles over 43,000 inpatient admissions and roughly 45,000 outpatient visits annually .
Its broad clinical scope includes cardiology, oncology, neurology, nephrology, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopaedics, pediatrics, eye care, renal dialysis, maternal-child health, accident and emergency, and intensive care . The hospital performed Ghana’s first successful non-incisional heart surgery in October 2019 and has received recognition and awards for procurement excellence .
Infrastructure Strains and Renovation Efforts
Despite these advancements, KATH’s physical infrastructure has long suffered neglect. The original GEE-era blocks—housing wards, utilities, and facilities—have never undergone major renovations in their 70-year history. They now face severe deterioration, including leaky roofs, dilapidated washrooms, absent firefighting systems, and lightning vulnerabilities that jeopardise expensive medical equipment .
To confront these challenges, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II launched the “Heal Komfo Anokye Project” in November 2023, aiming to raise US$10 million to renovate these blocks comprehensively—modern wards, fire safety, plumbing, lightning protection, and conducive clinical environments for both patients and staff .
Equipment Gaps and Financing Solutions
At the same 2025 performance review, Dr. Baidoo also highlighted significant shortfalls in essential diagnostic and treatment infrastructure, including malfunctioning or missing CT and MRI scanners, fluoroscopy machines, oxygen plants, central sterilisation units, and the complete absence of mammography services.
“These require millions of cedis, which the hospital does not have,” he explained, pointing out that KATH hopes to leverage Public–Private Partnerships (PPP). This model would invite investment from private entities under legal agreements that share usage rights and revenues from these facilities.
Why the Catheterisation Lab Matters
Cardiac catheterisation—a process in which a thin tube allows direct imaging and intervention on coronary arteries—is vital for diagnosing and managing heart disease. Without a CATH lab, KATH patients currently face delays, must travel to distant centres, or rely on less effective diagnostic means. The upcoming lab will enable timely diagnosis, angioplasty, stenting, and enhanced outcomes—especially crucial for emergency cases like suspected heart attacks.
KATH’s Role Beyond Healthcare Delivery
Training and Research: As a teaching hospital affiliated with KNUST and accredited by regional surgical colleges, KATH shapes the future of Ghana’s health workforce and contributes to peer-reviewed health research .
Regional Accessibility: Serving 12 of the country’s 16 regions, KATH remains a primary referral hub, extending services to even neighbouring countries .
Cultural Significance: Situated at the site anchored by the legendary Komfo Anokye sword, the hospital blends history, identity, and healing—a powerful symbol of resilience and tradition.
CATH Lab Pending commissioning in 2–4 months
Renovation (GEE Blocks) $10 million fundraising ongoing under Heal KATH project
Diagnostic Equipment CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, mammogram: lacking or non-functional
Key Services Broad—cardiology, oncology, emergency, ICU, pediatrics
Training & Research Strong academic affiliation and postgraduate accreditation
Strategic Importance Major referral centre; cultural and historical landmark
Final Thoughts
The approval and expected launch of KATH’s first catheterisation lab marks a historic milestone in the hospital’s evolution. It addresses a longstanding deficit that has constrained cardiac care. Combined with renovation efforts, equipment upgrades, and PPP innovations, KATH appears on the cusp of transformation—from a medical workhorse stretching its limits, into a modern centre of excellence equipped for twenty-first-century healthcare challenges.
This leap forward not only honors the 70-year legacy of a hospital born to heal—but also affirms Ghana’s commitment to equitable, advanced, and locally anchored healthcare for generations to come.