The National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCTC), Ghana’s premier facility for cardiac and thoracic care, continues to deliver critical life-saving procedures — performing between 450 and 700 surgeries each year.
However, the centre’s ability to meet the nation’s growing health needs is being hampered by severe limitations in infrastructure, personnel, and funding.
In 2024 alone, the NCTC recorded 437 admissions across its Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU) — both of which have only four beds each. With increasing patient flow and high demand for critical care.
The centre is urgently calling for support to ease congestion and expand its capacity.
Speaking at the National Stakeholder Seminar on Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Care in Ghana, Director of the NCTC, Dr. Kow Entsue-Mensah announced a major milestone: the successful performance of 19 pediatric and 104 adult cardiac catheterization procedures in 2024.
“This achievement was made possible through a vital partnership with Kenai Helsing International Energy Foundation,” Dr. Entsue-Mensah stated, noting the significance of pediatric interventions at the centre.
He highlighted that the centre operates with a lean medical team:
Three adult cardiac surgeons and four in training with
three anaesthetists, supported by five trainees
“The workload is immense, and while our team is committed, we are overstretched,” he added.
Diagnostic Services and Kidney Support
The NCTC also supports chronic kidney disease patients through a 10-machine dialysis unit, serving both ambulatory and ICU needs. However, diagnostic resources remain limited.
The centre lacks essential equipment such as MRI machines, electrophysiology tools, and modern endoscopy systems, all critical to comprehensive care.
“With Ghana’s population estimated at 33 to 35 million, we see nearly 8,000 new congenital heart disease cases each year,” Dr. Entsue-Mensah noted. “But in 2024, we were only able to perform 146 surgeries.
Many children are arriving in advanced stages of disease, with severe complications.”
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Frank Raji reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing child mortality.
“We will ensure that no child is denied care due to their location or financial situation,” he said.
“We are developing policies to institutionalize long-term care, as well as training and retraining professionals in pediatric cardiac services.”
He also commended the NCTC and its international partners, including Children’s Heartmel and Boston Children’s Hospital, for their continued dedication,
An estimated 95% of surgeries at NCTC are funded by charitable organizations. Key partners include;
Ghana Heart Foundation – the longest-standing supporter, initially funding 50% of all procedures, Children’s Heart Foundation – supporting over 231 surgeries since 2008, Compassion International – providing holistic care for children from deprived families since 2012, Awake Water Fund – funding 135 procedures since 2015, 70 of them pediatric, Shen Yong and Shenwu Children’s Heart Foundation – founded by a family affected by congenital heart disease.
Despite these contributions, only about 4% of patients are supported through workplace insurance or private companies. The vast majority rely solely on charity.
Beyond funding, the centre suffers from acute space limitations, making it difficult to install new equipment or expand existing services.
Departments such as dialysis, intensive care, and even diagnostics are frequently overwhelmed. In addition, both training and research are constrained by limited resources.
As Ghana continues to battle a growing burden of heart disease, the NCTC’s leaders are calling for sustained donor engagement, infrastructure investment, and strategic government support to ensure access to critical care for all citizens.
