Prez. Mahama Calls for Stronger Maintenance Culture in Health Sector

President John Dramani Mahama has stressed the urgent need for Ghana to develop a stronger maintenance culture in the health sector, warning that huge investments in medical infrastructure and equipment will continue to go to waste without proper management systems.

He made the call at the inauguration of a new catheterisation laboratory (Cath Lab) at the National Cardiothoracic Centre of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. The President said Ghana must learn from past experiences where valuable investments failed to achieve their full potential because of poor maintenance.

Recalling his time as Vice President under the late President John Evans Atta Mills, Mahama noted that government invested about $250 million in retooling major regional and teaching hospitals across the country. The funds provided critical medical equipment such as CT scanners, MRI machines, X ray machines and other diagnostic tools.

However, he expressed concern that only a few years after the investment, many of the machines had broken down due to inadequate maintenance. Hospitals were forced to request new equipment, a situation he described as unsustainable. “We found out that most of that equipment was not properly maintained and had broken down, and the hospitals were calling on government again to replace them. It is not a sustainable model,” he said.

Mahama explained that the lesson from this experience has shaped government’s new approach to managing medical equipment. Cabinet has approved the establishment of Ghana Medical Equipment Services Limited, a subsidiary of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund. The new entity will oversee the proper use and maintenance of medical equipment nationwide.

According to him, the company will employ specialised biomedical engineers to supervise equipment use, carry out preventive maintenance, and ensure machines remain functional. It will also be responsible for facilitating the replacement of equipment that is damaged beyond repair. “We believe this will be a more sustainable model so that the investments Ghanaians have made will not go to waste like in the past,” he added.

The President said the commissioning of the new Cath Lab demonstrates government’s commitment to strengthening specialised healthcare delivery, particularly in the management of non communicable diseases. He noted that improving access to advanced medical services locally will reduce the number of Ghanaians who travel abroad for treatment.

Mahama emphasized that adopting a culture of preventive maintenance is essential to safeguard national investments and ensure hospitals remain equipped to serve patients. He urged public institutions to prioritize maintenance as part of their operations, stressing that sustainability must be at the heart of Ghana’s healthcare system.

The new Cath Lab at Korle Bu is expected to enhance the country’s capacity to diagnose and treat cardiovascular diseases, providing advanced care for patients who previously had to seek treatment overseas. Officials say the facility will also serve as a training centre for medical professionals, helping to build local expertise in specialised healthcare.