Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has been left reeling after the sudden death of a senior emergency physician, Dr Kwame Adu Ofori, who suffered a heart attack but couldn’t be treated due to the absence of a cardiac catheterisation lab.
The tragic incident occurred over the weekend, when doctors at Ghana’s second-largest hospital battled to save their colleague’s life but were unable to perform the needed procedure to treat a blocked blood vessel to his heart.
Though stabilised briefly, he died en route to Accra for specialised care.
“At KATH, we arranged for a military airlift and gathered a team of doctors and special care nurses. They were in contact when they got to Accra, but he unfortunately died on their way to the hospital,” said hospital CEO Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo.
Dr Ofori had long served in emergency care, saving countless lives, but couldn’t be saved himself. His passing has reignited concern over critical infrastructure gaps at public hospitals outside the capital.
The catheterisation lab, known as a Cath Lab, is essential for diagnosing and treating heart attacks non-surgically. KATH has been appealing for its construction for years.
Despite pleas to officials, including the Bank of Ghana, the facility remains non-existent.
Staff say this is not an isolated case, as other regions face similar medical limitations. Dr Baidoo noted the hospital’s sterilisation unit is also defunct, calling for immediate retooling to ensure quality healthcare.
Following the death, the Health Minister has reportedly pledged labs for Kumasi, Tamale, and an additional one in Accra.
