Saint Martin’s de Porres Catholic Hospital in Agormanya, Eastern Region, has unveiled a new, state-of-the-art computed tomography (CT) scan to enhance healthcare delivery in its catchment areas and throughout Ghana.

The Siemens-brand equipment, valued at 250,000 euros, is a diagnostic imaging test that enables healthcare providers to detect diseases and injuries more effectively.

By combining X-rays with computer technology, the CT scan creates detailed images of patients’ bones and soft tissues.

“It creates detailed images of your bones and soft tissues by combining X-rays with a computer,” Dr. Gospel Agamah, the Medical Director of the hospital, told Ghana News Agency in an interview.

He said the facility’s administration also introduced additional facilities, such as an eye clinic, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physiotherapy, and ultrasound unit.

He described the CT scans as valuable equipment used in medical diagnosis and expressed the hope that the new device would improve diagnosis services and provide accurate and better management of patients.

“We are the first healthcare facility to receive a CT scan; previously, our patients had to travel to Tema, Accra, and Koforidua, which are the closest,” he said.

However, with this new equipment, he added, “we hope to save patients money while also assisting our sister facility in our catchment area in receiving CT scan services.”  

The hospital’s administrator, Mr. Emmanuel Bosompim, stated that the facility was a level four safe care facility, meaning that patients could be guaranteed to receive high-quality care.

He mentioned that after engagements with healthier consults, the company in charge of the device, on multiple occasions about the operating of CT scans, the decision was made to go in for the equipment to offer the public high-quality services.

“We reasoned that it would be worthwhile to move this facility here in light of the volume of cases we refer outside as well as other cases from our sister facilities' records,” he added. 

Mr. Bosompim further stated that residents and facilities around Atimpoku, Somanya, Kpong, Akuse, Juapong, Anum-Boso, Asesewa, Akosombo, and other locations will not be required to receive C.T. scan services at other locations again. 

He stated that between June and August of this year, they performed 147 CT scans and that previously, they would have been referred to Tema or Accra, incurring additional costs and risks.

“We will shortly commission our on-site oxygen plant, which will eliminate the need to travel to other locations for oxygen because all of our wards are equipped with oxygen devices, which we can link to whenever necessary,” he said. 

Dr. James Duah, Deputy Director of the Christian Health Association Ghana (CHAG), emphasized the importance of healthcare technology like CT scans in saving people’s lives. 

The excitement surrounding the CT scan is driven by the expansion of schools and service access options, reduced care costs, and provision of tools and logistics, with CHAG alone having trained over 300 specialists. 

Dr. Duah emphasized the importance of continuing to increase staff competencies to stay current with computer tomography developments and technologies.

“This CT scan should not be a replacement for clinical judgment but rather complement and strengthen clinical judgment,” he added.

 The director of Catholic Health Services Trust, Mr. George A. Adjei, expressed his satisfaction with the facility’s transformation from a clinic to a hospital offering a wide range of services. 

He appealed to the local legislature, opinion leaders, and chiefs to organize the youth in the area to provide communal labour to sustain the facility.