Omanghana
President John Dramani Mahama has officially commissioned a state-of-the-art Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan facility at the Sweden Ghana Medical Center in Accra, marking a major breakthrough for Ghana’s healthcare and oncology sector. The new facility is expected to significantly reduce the need for Ghanaians to travel abroad for advanced medical diagnostics and cancer-related treatment, a process that has often been financially and emotionally draining for patients and their families.
The newly commissioned center houses West Africa’s first cyclotron, a highly advanced machine used to produce local radioisotopes essential for PET imaging. The development positions Ghana among a select group of African countries with the capacity to locally produce these critical medical materials, reducing dependence on imports and improving timely access to diagnostic services.
The facility also strengthens Ghana’s cancer treatment capabilities through the installation of one of only two linear accelerators currently available in the country. The technology enables highly precise radiotherapy treatment for cancer patients, improving treatment accuracy while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Medical experts say the PET Scan technology will enhance precision diagnostics by detecting early-stage metabolic changes linked to cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Early detection is expected to improve treatment outcomes and increase survival rates for patients across the country.
Beyond serving Ghanaian patients, the new center is projected to become a major sub-regional medical hub, attracting specialist medical tourists from neighboring countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Togo. The development is also expected to boost Ghana’s growing reputation as a destination for advanced healthcare services in West Africa.
The project was delivered through a partnership between the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the management of SGMC, highlighting collaboration between private healthcare stakeholders and national institutions in expanding access to specialized healthcare infrastructure.
The facility will further be integrated into the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as “MahamaCares,” ensuring that local cancer patients accessing oncology services at the center can receive financial support and coverage under the national healthcare initiative.
Source: Omanghana
