Northern Ghana has a severe shortage of heart doctors. Only two cardiologists serve millions of people in the entire northern sector. Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, Administrator for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, revealed this finding. She stressed that this situation shows deep unfairness in Ghana's health system.
This lack of specialists creates a wide gap in accessing advanced medical help. The Ghana Medical Trust Fund conducted a review of 21 health facilities. This included six teaching hospitals and nine regional hospitals. The study checked facilities in all six newly created regions. It found shortages in both expert staff and important medical machines nationwide.
The country's medical resources are unevenly spread. For example, only two MRI machines and five mammogram machines were found across all surveyed facilities. Cancer treatment machines, called radiotherapy machines, are mostly in the south. Ghana has only two public radiotherapy machines and one private one. They are all located in Accra and Kumasi. This limits access for patients elsewhere.
Ms. Darko-Opoku shared these findings during the Government's Accountability Series. She highlighted the need for constant money for specialist healthcare. Investment in buildings and more training for health workers is also vital. This will help ensure everyone in Ghana gets good healthcare. The lack of equipment and specialists reflects a broader challenge. Ghana's health budget often struggles to reach all regions equally.
These issues could lead to worse health outcomes for people in underserved areas. Heart conditions and cancers may go untreated for longer. This might increase mortality rates. Decisions on where to build new hospitals and train doctors become even more important. Future government budgets will need to address these clear disparities. Markets for medical supplies and equipment may also see shifts based on future investment plans.