By Jones Anlimah
The Ho Teaching Hospital in the Ho municipality of the Volta region, following its conversion from a regional hospital to a teaching hospital in 2019, is positioning itself as a hub for medical tourism in Ghana and beyond. The hospital has inaugurated five new facilities to accommodate its growing client base and enhance healthcare delivery, aligning with its vision of becoming a destination for advanced medical services.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr. John Tampuori, provided insight into the institution’s transformation over the years. “Since our upgrade to a teaching hospital, we started with a few structures for service delivery. Over time, we have constructed additional consulting rooms, established a cardiothoracic centre—though not fully equipped—and created more offices to accommodate our ever-increasing staff numbers,” he said.
Dr. Tampuori noted that the number of clients has grown significantly, from 350,000 in 2019 to over 780,000 currently. As a teaching and referral facility, the hospital attracts clients from the Volta, Oti, and Eastern Regions, as well as neighbouring countries. “With this rapid growth, it is crucial that the increasing number of clients corresponds with the availability of facilities to maintain high standards of care,” he emphasised.
The newly inaugurated facilities include a Family Health Centre, established in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Ho, a Psychological Medicine Department, a CT Scan Unit, a Pharmacy Complex; and a Hospital Annex on the Ho-Kpetoe road. These additions are expected to make the hospital a “one-stop shop” for its diverse clientele and further its goal of offering comprehensive, patient-centered healthcare.
The hospital’s efforts to introduce specialised services have also enhanced its appeal as a potential medical tourism destination. Services such as Endoscopy, Neurology, an Asthma Clinic, Dietetics, Pain Management, CT Scan services, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Echocardiogram, and Oncology reflect its current status as a modern teaching and referral facility.
Dr. Tampuori highlighted the hospital’s ability to handle the increasing demands of patients, staff, and visitors. “With a staff strength of nearly 2,000, an average of 4,000 outpatient visits weekly, and over 220 inpatients on admission, not to mention the hundreds of guests that visit daily, it is no exaggeration to describe the Ho Teaching Hospital as a complete community on its own,” he remarked.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa, said the new facilities would not only address healthcare challenges in the region but also position the hospital to attract international patients seeking specialised care.
Dr. Sodoke Amuzu, a representative of the hospital’s Board Chairman, highlighted the strategic appointments of a Director of Allied Health Services and a Medical Tourism Coordinator as part of efforts to realise the hospital’s vision of becoming a hub for medical tourism. “We are taking deliberate steps to establish ourselves as a centre for medical tourism, and these new facilities are a critical part of that journey,” he stated.
With these advancements, the Ho Teaching Hospital is poised to redefine healthcare delivery in the Volta Region and beyond, combining excellent patient care with the potential for medical tourism. As it continues to expand its infrastructure and services, the hospital is set to attract clients from across Ghana and neighbouring countries to cement its status as a regional centre of excellence.
