The Ho Teaching Hospital is targeting leadership in Ghana’s medical tourism sector despite challenges like rising patient demands and increased mortality rates. CEO Dr. John Tampuori noted the hospital’s staff growth and improvements in diagnostic services, while calling for better retention of medical personnel. Maternal mortality and total deaths have risen, yet efforts to enhance healthcare quality continue. Medical tourism development is seen as vital for economic growth.
The Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) aims to become Ghana’s premier medical tourism hub amidst increasing patient numbers, overcrowded wards, and rising mortality rates. During the 2024 Annual Performance Review Conference, Dr. John Tampuori, HTH’s CEO, presented both the hospital’s advancements and its challenges. The delivery service has markedly expanded, drawing a growing number of patients seeking treatment for various health issues, yet this has resulted in a shortage of hospital beds and an uptick in mortality rates.
Dr. Tampuori noted that HTH’s workforce increased from 1,532 in 2023 to 1,590 in 2024, not counting clinical staff from the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS). Despite facing higher attrition among medical staff—63 in 2023 to 83 in 2024—he underscored the hospital’s dedication to retaining qualified personnel necessary for achieving its healthcare and medical tourism objectives.
The Outpatient Department (OPD) saw a rise in visits from 211,104 in 2023 to 212,129 in 2024, indicating growing public confidence in HTH’s services. However, total hospital admissions fell from 11,769 in 2023 to 10,936 in 2024, coinciding with a bed occupancy increase from 68.9% to 73.5%. The average length of stay remained stable at six days, while surgeries decreased slightly from 2,571 to 2,518.
Alarmingly, maternal mortality figures increased from 18 to 20, equating to 1,170 deaths per 100,000 live births, with total live births dropping from 1,799 to 1,550. Conversely, neonatal mortality improved from 63 to 55 deaths, or 833 per 1,000 live births. Dr. Tampuori reassured that efforts are underway to enhance maternal and neonatal healthcare services.
HTH has improved its diagnostic capabilities, with radiology procedures rising from 19,622 to 20,050 and ultrasound procedures from 6,799 to 8,041. Laboratory procedures also increased from 124,596 to 128,635. Dr. Tampuori emphasized HTH’s commitment to strategic collaborations with local and international healthcare organizations to elevate service quality.
The hospital recorded an increase in total deaths, rising from 1,002 to 1,010, leading to a mortality rate growth from 8.6% to 9.4%. Dr. Tampuori expressed HTH’s ongoing focus on reversing this trend through persistent improvement in healthcare delivery. HTH’s long-term vision includes meeting international healthcare standards, expanding community outreach, and investing in research and development to enhance service quality.
Mr. Kafui Kanyi, HTH’s Medical Tourism Coordinator, asserted that nurturing a medical tourism sector in Ghana could generate jobs in healthcare, transportation, and tourism, thus contributing to the country’s GDP. He encouraged the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts to develop health tourism akin to eco-tourism to attract international clients.
Furthermore, he called on the Ministry of Health to empower hospitals for international accreditation, implement medical travel policies to boost Ghana’s competitiveness in healthcare services, and create a Health Tourism Coordination Unit to advance this agenda. HTH’s leadership believes that with robust stakeholder engagement and government support, the hospital will establish itself as the leading destination for medical tourism while enhancing healthcare services for both local and international patients.
In summary, the Ho Teaching Hospital is striving to position itself as Ghana’s foremost medical tourism hub, facing challenges such as rising patient loads, overcrowding, and increasing mortality rates. Despite these obstacles, the hospital is committed to improving service quality through strategic collaborations and achieving international healthcare standards. With governmental support and community engagement, HTH aims to enhance healthcare for all patients while contributing positively to the nation’s economy.
Original Source: gna.org.gh
