The Ghanaian Society of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons has been inaugurated, with its director, Dr. Kow Entsua-Mensah, emphasizing the need for collaboration and resource sharing among existing cardiothoracic centers in the country. Dr. Entsua-Mensah, who is also the Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, stressed that the scarcity of cardiothoracic surgeons in Ghana necessitates urgent action to increase the number of specialists across the regions.

Currently, there are only 14 cardiothoracic surgeons in the country, with six others undergoing training. The newly formed society aims to engage in training and influence policy formulation at the national level, among other objectives. Dr. Entsua-Mensah called for capacity building and the expansion of existing facilities to enhance healthcare delivery. He noted that the society’s initial membership of 14 qualified surgeons will work towards increasing the number of trainees and deploying them across the regions to support the existing workforce.

The state of cardiothoracic surgery in Ghana is a concern, with only five hospitals in the country providing cardiovascular and thoracic surgery services. Dr. Entsua-Mensah suggested that centers at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, 37 Military Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and Tamale Teaching Hospital should be expanded to ease the growing demand on the National Cardiothoracic Centre at Korle Bu. He encouraged better-resourced centers in Accra to support less developed ones, while the government works towards establishing regional cardiovascular and thoracic centers.

Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, urged young professionals to embrace technology and modern procedures to deliver quality care. He called for increased investment in facilities and equipment and emphasized the need for professionals to deepen their expertise and maintain strong work ethics. The inaugural meeting of the Ghanaian Society of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons was held on the theme “Capacity Building in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Through Partnership,” highlighting the importance of collaboration and resource sharing in improving cardiothoracic surgery services in Ghana.

The establishment of the society is a significant step towards addressing the shortage of cardiothoracic surgeons in the country. With its focus on training, policy formulation, and collaboration, the society is poised to play a crucial role in enhancing healthcare delivery in Ghana. As the country moves forward, it is essential to prioritize the development of cardiothoracic surgery services, ensuring that patients have access to quality care and reducing the need for them to travel long distances for treatment.