Korle Bu to launch IVF services, expand access to reproductive care
The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) is set to introduce In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) services as part of efforts to broaden access to advanced reproductive healthcare in Ghana.
The hospital’s Chief Executive, Dr Yakubu Seidu Adam, announced that the IVF programme will be delivered through the Reproductive Health Unit under the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department. He described the initiative as a major milestone in strengthening KBTH’s reproductive health services, particularly for women in underserved and vulnerable communities.
Dr Adam made the disclosure during the launch of the hospital’s 2026 Cervical Cancer Screening and Awareness Campaign at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Conference Room. He acknowledged that earlier attempts to establish IVF services at Korle Bu were unsuccessful but expressed confidence that the programme is now ready for full implementation. He emphasised the need for strong collaboration and sustained dedication to ensure its long-term success.
Also speaking at the event, the Head of Reproductive Health at KBTH, Professor Kweku Asah-Opoku, underscored the need to intensify public education, screening and vaccination efforts to significantly reduce cervical cancer deaths nationwide.
The Programme Coordinator and Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, Rev. Rose Eduful, reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to cervical cancer prevention, stressing that early detection remains one of the most effective strategies for saving lives.
The Director of External Affairs at Telecel Foundation Ghana, Komla Buami, reiterated the Foundation’s support for cervical cancer prevention programmes. He revealed that beyond awareness campaigns, the MahamaCares initiative has donated colposcopy machines to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital and Sefwi-Wiawso to improve service delivery in underserved areas.
Mr Buami further announced that Telecel Foundation Ghana will fund all medical consumables for the next two years. This support is expected to facilitate free cervical cancer screening for at least 10,000 women, helping to eliminate financial barriers to early diagnosis.
Chairperson of the programme, Professor Samuel Oppong, expressed satisfaction with the impact of the campaign over the years. He noted that Ghana records about 3,000 new cervical cancer cases annually, with more than half resulting in deaths, and called for intensified preventive measures to safeguard women’s health.
In a technical presentation, Professor Asah-Opoku highlighted the importance of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, noting that cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer globally, with about 95 per cent of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries, despite being largely preventable.
He explained that the World Health Organization now recommends a single-dose HPV vaccine for girls aged nine to 14, which can prevent up to 90 per cent of cervical cancer cases. Addressing misinformation, Dr James Neequaye dismissed claims linking the vaccine to infertility, promiscuity, microchips or herbal substitutes, emphasising that the vaccine is scientifically proven, safe and lifesaving.
The event concluded on a positive note, with hospital management, health professionals and representatives of Telecel Foundation Ghana reaffirming their collective commitment to improving women’s health outcomes in Ghana.
About The Author
