The Ghanaian Society of Cardiology is alarmed over the continuous rise in the cases of heart failure reported at various health facilities across the country.
Latest statistics from studies conducted by the society show that eight out of 10 cardiac hospitalisation cases recorded at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi were attributable to heart failure.
The alarming spate of the heart condition, primarily driven by hypertension, is a result of the lack of diagnostic tools, a 1 million patients to 1 doctor ratio, and the late reporting of cases to hospitals.
Heart failure remains one of the most pressing cardiovascular challenges in Africa, with Ghana recording daily cases of the condition.
It is a leading cause of death among adults in Ghana, with the average age estimated between 40 and 50 years.
A single-centre study at the KATH revealed 88% of cases admitted to the cardiothoracic department of the hospital were heart failure incidences.
“Uncontrolled hypertension remains the leading underlying cause of heart failure in Ghana, alongside poorly managed diabetes and high cholesterol levels. Heart attacks, caused by blocked blood flow to the heart, are also contributing significantly to the burden,” General secretary of the Ghanaian Society of Cardiology, Dr. Lambert Tetteh Appiah, noted.
Ashanti regional director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, elaborated on some challenges confronting cardiology healthcare delivery in the country.
He explained that the lack of diagnostic tools, especially in the Ashanti region, the late presentation of cases, and the high doctor-to-patient ratio are contributory challenges to the growing statistics.
“Some of the key barriers include late presentation, with more than 60 per cent of patients arriving at advanced stages of the disease, limited diagnostic tools in many districts, high cost of medications, shortage of specialists, and systemic gaps in long-term follow-up care,” he said.
Ghana presently has less than 50 cardiologists serving a population of 34 million, highlighting the burden of cases on the specialists. However, the Society reveals that over 15 new cardiologists have been trained over the past five years.
These were shared at the 2026 annual general meeting of the Ghanaian Society of Cardiology, which assembled adult and paediatric cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, pharmacists and other health professionals.
The 2-day scientific meeting, which ended on Thursday, February 26, discussed crucial topics on hypertensive heart failure and the role of device therapy and surgery in the management of heart failure.
CEO of the University of Ghana Medical Centre, Dr. Abdul-Samed Tanko, highlighted proactive and preventive medical strategies to reduce the growing numbers.
“To confront the crisis, we propose a multi-pronged strategy: strengthening prevention through improved hypertension detection and control at the primary care level; standardising the initiation of heart failure therapy, particularly at hospital discharge; developing practical implementation tools tailored to district and community-level facilities; and prioritising equity to ensure underserved populations benefit from interventions,” he said.
Meanwhile, the government has cut sod for the construction of two catheterisation laboratories in Kumasi and Tamale to expand access to life-saving cardiac intervention across Ghana.
Efforts are also underway to restore and upgrade the cardiac centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
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