Accra, Oct. 28, GNA - An 8. 5 million dollar new theatre and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Cardio-thoracic Centre of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital was on Friday inaugurated.

The facilities, described as a centre of excellence in Africa and one of the best in the world, has two theatres fully equipped with modern machines, two ICUs one for recovery after open heart surgery and the other to care for serious coronary cases. It also has a laundry, fitted kitchen and a sterilization room.

Briefing the media, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Chief Executive of the Hospital said the building could be use for the next 10 years but added that it was necessary to have a whole hospital for Cardiothoracic cases.

He said though government supported with five million Euros, the entire cost of the project was borne by the Hospital. These mainly came from the donations made by the public to the Centre since its establishment whilst the staff at the hospital provided workmanship.

"We did this because we thought we could save money and time by using the expertise we have than giving it to a contractor". He said with the current staff strength of 20 doctors, 45 nurses, 20 supporting staff and sophisticated facilities in place the Centre could increase output by 100 per cent.

In another development, a new Dermatology Unit of the Out Patients Department built with the help of Koornzaaijer Foundation, form The Netherlands, was also inaugurated by Professor Samuel Ofosu Armaah, Board Chairman of the Hospital.

Professor Hector Addo, Head of the Dermatology Unit, said the Unit, which cost 100,000 euros would apart from rendering general services to the public, would also be used to offer six month teaching of undergraduates in dermatology every year.

"It will also offer training to postgraduate students during their specialist rotations in preparation for their exams".

He explained that the Unit would develop research facilities to enable it to train specialists independently locally, adding, "in this regard, patch test clinics and crytheraphy have now been established to cater for the needs of Ghanaians".