Ghana's Korle Bu Cath Lab reopens 16 months after fire, restoring critical cardiac care

The Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at Ghana's National Cardiothoracic Centre has officially reopened, 16 months after a devastating fire destroyed the facility. The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) led the reconstruction and expansion of this vital unit, restoring one of the country's most critical lifesaving services.

Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, Administrator of the GMTF, described the inauguration as a pivotal moment for Ghana's healthcare. "Every nation, in its journey, will face a moment that tests not its resources, but its resolve. Today, Ghana answers that test," she stated. The reopening signifies not just the restoration of a medical facility but also the reaffirmation of the nation's commitment to specialist healthcare and its determination to overcome adversity.

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Every nation, in its journey, will will face a moment that tests not its resources, but its resolve. Today, Ghana answers that test.

The original Cath Lab, opened in 2017, provided essential cardiac care for eight years, preventing the need for many Ghanaians to seek treatment abroad. Its destruction in March 2025 severely disrupted emergency cardiac interventions. The GMTF's swift action, beginning reconstruction in February 2026, resulted in a modern, expanded facility designed for faster, safer, and more advanced cardiac care.

Even before its full operational resumption, the laboratory will host a major cardiac intervention program. In collaboration with international specialists and local partners, thirty Ghanaian patients will undergo complex Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device procedures, offering life-saving treatment that would otherwise be inaccessible. This project underscores the GMTF's broader mission to support patients with chronic non-communicable diseases.

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to restore a lifeline, reclaim a critical pillar of our national health security, and affirm that we do not abandon what saves lives.