Support persons with heart problems

The National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCTC) at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital was set up over two decades ago to save heart patients in Ghana from having to travel outside the country for attention.
Thus, for the first time in Ghana, complete evaluation of cardiothoracic diseases became possible and very safe, with standards comparable to international facilities.

The NCTC has since set high standards in training and management of hospital personnel. We are aware that the centre is recognised by the West African College of Surgeons to train heart surgeons, cardiologists, cardiac anaesthetists, operating room nurses, intensive care nurses, cardiac technicians and other cardiothoracic technicians.

Some of the cases dealt with by the NCTC are complications of chest infections, congenital heart diseases, destroyed heart valves following rheumatic heart disease, vascular injuries, cancers of the oesophagus and lungs, many of which affect children.

Such is its competence level that it handles referral cases from many West African countries.

But the cost of treatment at the centre is high, above what the average patient is normally able to pay for the services. In order to lighten the financial burden on Ghanaian patients, 50 per cent of the cost of treatment is usually borne by the Ghana Heart Foundation.

In spite of this, the Daily Graphic has learnt that there are at present some 380 patients on the waiting list of the cardio centre who are in need of urgent cash to undergo surgery. Out of that number, 225, we understand, are children.

The cardio centre is a vital component of the health delivery service in the country, but, as pointed out by the Director of the centre, Dr Lawrence Sereboe, its services are very expensive and out of the reach of many Ghanaians.

Cardiovascular diseases are the world’s most deadly killers, according to experts in the medical sector, and every effort should be made to help these 380 patients, 20 of whom are said to have been on the waiting list for over three years.

A gloomy picture was painted by Dr Sereboe when he said that “without surgery, they are not going to last for two years”.

We congratulate the highlife musician, Kwabena Kwabena, for his ‘save a heart’ concert  with which he intends  to raise funds to assist these patients to live normal lives.

Together with Samini, Becca, Efya, Sarkodie, Joojo, OJ, Stella Dougan and Afriyie, a concert will be staged on October 19 to raise funds to assist needy poor heart patients in the country.

We urge support for the concert and encourage the Ghana Heart Foundation to restart its campaign to get all salaried workers to make voluntary contributions to the fund. Public-spirited persons should also consider the plight of these patients and go to their aid.

We are saddened to note that majority of the patients are children, who may be vulnerable under many circumstances. It is imperative that all should assist to bring the services of the cardio centre within the reach of Ghanaians,  for these patients and many more yet to be diagnosed may not live long because they may not be able to afford surgery.

Daily Graphic/Ghana