The Ho Teaching Hospital seeks to establish itself as Ghana’s premier destination for medical tourism, despite facing rising patient loads and mortality rates. CEO Dr. John Tampuori outlined the hospital’s progress, including increased service demand and improvements in diagnostics, while also addressing the challenges of staff retention and high mortality rates. There is optimism towards further enhancing healthcare services through strategic partnerships and governmental support.
The Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) is committed to becoming Ghana’s premier medical tourism destination while facing challenges such as an increase in patient volume, overcrowded wards, and rising mortality rates. During the 2024 Annual Performance Review Conference, Dr. John Tampuori, the CEO, presented the hospital’s advancements alongside these concerns, noting the expansion of services attracting more patients for varied health issues.
HTH has expanded its workforce from 1,532 in 2023 to 1,590 in 2024, not accounting for clinical staff from the University of Health and Allied Sciences. Despite an uptick in turnover rates of medical personnel from 63 in 2023 to 83 in 2024, Dr. Tampuori reiterated the hospital’s dedication to retaining skilled professionals to meet its healthcare and medical tourism objectives.
The hospital has witnessed a rise in Outpatient Department (OPD) visits from 211,104 in 2023 to 212,129 in 2024, indicating growing public trust. However, total admissions fell from 11,769 to 10,936 for the same period. Bed occupancy increased to 73.5% while average hospital stays remained stable at six days. Surgical procedures saw a minor decrease from 2,571 to 2,518.
Maternal mortality rates have increased, with deaths climbing from 18 to 20, equating to 1,170 deaths per 100,000 live births. Conversely, neonatal mortality improved, dropping from 63 to 55, or 833 deaths per 1,000 live births. Dr. Tampuori expressed HTH’s dedication to enhancing maternal and neonatal health services to combat these mortality rates.
Diagnostic services improved significantly, with radiology procedures rising from 19,622 to 20,050, ultrasound procedures increasing from 6,799 to 8,041, and laboratory procedures growing from 124,596 to 128,635. Dr. Tampuori mentioned HTH’s strategic partnerships with local and international health organizations aimed at enhancing service quality.
Total hospital deaths also rose from 1,002 to 1,010, increasing the mortality rate from 8.6% to 9.4%. The hospital is devoted to implementing innovations to mitigate these trends effectively. HTH aims to meet international healthcare standards by enhancing community outreach, investing in research and development, and improving service quality.
Mr. Kafui Kanyi, HTH’s Medical Tourism Coordinator, highlighted the potential job creation that developing a medical tourism sector could provide, impacting healthcare, transport, accommodation, and tourism sectors positively. He urged the Ministry of Tourism to treat health tourism similarly to eco-tourism to attract international patients.
Furthermore, he recommended that the Ministry of Health empower hospitals for international accreditation, establish medical travel policies, and create a Health Tourism Coordination Unit. HTH’s leadership is optimistic that with the involvement of stakeholders and governmental support, the hospital will be recognized as Ghana’s leading medical tourism hub while improving healthcare delivery to all patients.
In conclusion, the Ho Teaching Hospital demonstrates a clear commitment towards becoming a leading medical tourism destination in Ghana despite facing significant challenges. The increase in patient visits reflects the growing trust in the hospital’s services, yet the rising mortality rates necessitate urgent attention. Continued investments in healthcare service enhancements and strategic partnerships are crucial to ensuring high-quality care for both local and international patients, ultimately benefiting Ghana’s healthcare landscape.
Original Source: gna.org.gh
