Ho Teaching hospital launch fundraising to set up a Cardiothoracic Centre
A statement was read on behalf of Togbe Afede, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, through Togbe Kotoku XI, the Paramount Chief of Kpenoe, the traditional authorities indicated that, if this is done, it will help the entire region and reduce the cost of travelling to 37 teaching hospital for treatment
Joana Somiah 
Ho Teaching Hospital has launched a fundraising campaign for the Cardiothoracic centre.
On June 25, A fundraising campaign was commenced to modernise and expand the existing Cardiothoracic Disease Centre of the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH)
It is aimed at mobilising funds to equip the Centre with standard machines and operationalise the different units of the Centre towards undertaking major cardiac surgeries at the Ho teaching hospital.
Speaking at the launching, Dr John Tampuri, CEO of the HTH said, currently, cardiac patients are referred to Korle Bu Teaching hospital for treatment and surgeries which is well-equipped to undertake such surgeries in the country.
Dr John Tampuori, Acting Chief Executive of HTH, who opened the Campaign, said the initiative would help people seeking cardio treatment to get them at the Ho teaching hospital.
He said in the year 2020, One thousand and Twenty three (1,024) cardio patients were brought to the hospital and later referred to the Korle Bu teaching hospital due to the unavailability of the cardio centre at the Ho teaching hospital.
"Between January and June 18, this year, some 729 cardiac patients were treated at the hospital’s Outpatient Department," he said.
He lamented that some cardio patients could not survive due to the bad nature of the roads in the Volta region which is also another threatening factor.
Dr Tampuri thanked Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Minister of Health, Dr Letsa, Volta Minister for their unflinching support of the HTH.
He revealed that Price water House, an accredited auditing firm, has been partnered to provide value for money and guard against embezzlement and diversion of resources for the Centre and suggested that “when each indigene is allowed to pay a token of GHC 2 with the population of the region from the previous census figures, the equipment cost will be taken care off.”
The quality of service, per his words, was improving but congestion and breakdown of systems were responsible for the long queues of patients seeking medical attention and referrals putting little pressure on the facility.
Dr Tampuri told that records of cardiac patients were synchronised among the four Teaching hospitals in the country, saying patients no longer need to carry folders during referrals and expressed the hope that the system would be replicated at the regional Hospital levels.
He further mentioned that the facility will serve an economical purpose in the region.
Stressing on this, Dr John Tampuri asserted that the Volta region is blessed with a lot of natural and tourists centres which could attract many investors but health facilities are considered by financiers before taking a step.
According to him, if this cardio centre is established, it will go a lot way to help.
Prof John Gyapong, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, who initiated and opened discussion for the construction of a cardiothoracic Centre some months ago, expressed joy and his happiness about the fund-raising project.
He opened that the equipment lists towards operationalising the Centre costs some $ 3.2 million and expectant that with careful planning the amount could be realised through a good mobilisation effort.
He made known that though positive assurances have been received from duty-bearers, kick-starting a fundraiser was a strong admonition of the essence of setting up the facility.
“As a people, let’s come together, we need the facility badly, let’s make a difference. Some people dream, it takes others to conceptualise those dreams to reality.”
Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, pledged the Regional Coordinating Council’s support to make the dream for the delivery of timeous provision of healthcare at the point of need and appealed to all persons to come on board.
The statement read on behalf of Togbe Afede, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, through Togbe Kotoku XI, the Paramount Chief of Kpenoe, the traditional authorities pledged support to the initiatives and called on all meaningful Ghanaians and Voltarians in the diaspora to come together and help achieve this goal.
He indicated that, if this is done, it will help the entire region and reduce the cost of travelling to 37 teaching hospital for treatment.
Solomon M Ahiable Volta Region
