The Ho Teaching Hospital is expanding its services amid rising patient numbers and mortality rates. CEO Dr. John Tampuori highlighted increasing staff and outpatient visits, though concerns remain regarding maternal mortality and hospital deaths. HTH aims to enhance its role in medical tourism through strategic partnerships and government backing.
The Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) is striving to establish itself as Ghana’s leading medical tourism hub amid challenges such as increasing patient numbers, overcrowded wards, and rising mortality rates. At the hospital’s 2024 Annual Performance Review Conference, Dr. John Tampuori, HTH’s CEO, outlined both progress and difficulties faced by the institution, particularly the surge in patient demand across various health conditions, resulting in bed shortages and a higher mortality rate.
Dr. Tampuori reported that the staff strength at HTH increased from 1,532 in 2023 to 1,590 in 2024, excluding clinical personnel from the University of Health and Allied Sciences. However, he noted a concerning rise in medical staff turnover, with attrition figures escalating from 63 in 2023 to 83 in 2024, affirming the hospital’s dedication to retaining skilled professionals to achieve its healthcare goals.
In terms of patient services, visits to the Outpatient Department (OPD) rose slightly from 211,104 in 2023 to 212,129 in 2024, suggesting enhanced public trust. However, total hospital admissions declined from 11,769 in 2023 to 10,936 in 2024, with bed occupancy rates increasing from 68.9 percent to 73.5 percent and an average hospital stay remaining stable at six days. Surgical procedures saw a minor reduction, dropping from 2,571 to 2,518 in the same period.
Maternal mortality emerged as a key concern, with deaths increasing from 18 in 2023 to 20 in 2024, reflecting a rate of 1,170 deaths per 100,000 live births, while total live births also dipped from 1,799 to 1,550. Conversely, neonatal mortality improved, decreasing from 63 to 55 deaths per 1,000 live births. Dr. Tampuori committed to enhancing these critical healthcare services to reduce fatalities.
HTH has also improved its diagnostic services, as evidenced by an increase in radiology, ultrasound, and laboratory procedures. Dr. Tampuori affirmed the hospital’s commitment to fostering partnerships with local and international organizations to elevate service quality. Furthermore, hospital deaths extended from 1,002 in 2023 to 1,010 in 2024, and the mortality rate rose from 8.6 percent to 9.4 percent, with ongoing efforts aimed at ameliorating these outcomes through innovative care practices.
As part of its broader vision, HTH is adopting international healthcare standards and enhancing community engagement, alongside investing in research and development. Mr. Kafui Kanyi, HTH’s Medical Tourism Coordinator, highlighted the potential job creation within various sectors through the development of medical tourism in Ghana and urged the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts to treat health tourism similarly to eco-tourism to attract international patients.
He further called on the Ministry of Health to empower hospitals for international accreditation, formulate medical travel policies, and establish a Health Tourism Coordination Unit to propel Ghana’s competitiveness in healthcare services. HTH’s leadership remains optimistic that robust stakeholder engagement, strategic alliances, and government support will fortify its position as Ghana’s premier destination for medical tourism while enhancing healthcare for all patients.
The Ho Teaching Hospital is facing increased demand for services, challenging operational capacities and leading to rising mortality rates. Despite these challenges, the hospital is committed to expansions in the medical tourism sector and improvements in healthcare services. With stakeholder cooperation and government support, HTH aims to enhance its service quality and solidify its reputation both locally and internationally.
Original Source: gna.org.gh
