UGMC and Qatar Charity complete third annual congenital cardiac catheterization project in Ghana

Qatar Charity, in partnership with the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), has completed its third annual congenital cardiac catheterisation project, offering life-saving treatment to 40 patients—primarily children—suffering from congenital heart defects. The intensive week-long mission, held from August 17 to 24, corrected complex conditions including Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), and Pulmonary Stenosis (PS), collectively known as “hole-in-heart” diseases.

Using advanced cardiac catheterisation techniques, the medical team provided minimally invasive interventions that avoided open-heart surgery, reducing risks and ensuring quicker recovery. This milestone marks three years of fruitful collaboration between UGMC and Qatar Charity, with the dual focus of saving lives and building local medical capacity.

Dr. Abdul-Samad Tanko, CEO of UGMC, highlighted the broader significance of the initiative, stressing that beyond the 40 lives saved, the most valuable outcome was the transfer of skills to local doctors and nurses. Professor Mohammad Tawfiq Numan of Texas University, who led the visiting medical team, praised the synergy and professionalism of UGMC’s staff, while reiterating Qatar Charity’s vital role in making the mission possible.

Professor Nana-Akyaa Yao, who played a central role in operations and planning, commended the dedication of both local and visiting teams, while Qatar Charity’s Country Director, Mr. Hasan Owda, expressed gratitude to Allah for another successful programme, pledging continued commitment to transforming lives in Ghana. The achievement underscores UGMC’s role as a state-of-the-art facility committed to patient care, medical training, and research, while reinforcing Qatar Charity’s humanitarian mission to provide hope and a healthier future for vulnerable communities.