Telecardiology in Ghana: Perspectives from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Cardiovascular Diagnotics Clinic

Telecardiography started in Ghana in 1977 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital with the introduction of a portable stand-alone M mode echocardiograph fitted with transducers for phono-mechanocardiography. The rest of the development took place at the Cardiovascular Diagnostics Clinic (John Kpodonu) with the introduction of a combined 24-h ABP/Holter in 2004, to be followed by 24–72 h Holter and 24-h ABP monitors in 2012. ECG wearables were introduced at the Cardiovascular Diagnostic Clinic in 2018 and to date has been well received by patients. Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) was introduced in 2020 using a tablet ultrasound device which has considerable potential for teaching, training of paramedical staff for task shifting, leveraging distance echocardiography by virtue of its Bluetooth and internet connectivity. Future research would focus on novel wearable EKG technology embedded in clothing. Wearable embedded clothings can be worn and removed at will to enable patients to have their bath or shower; the battery can be changed without interfering with the recording process and is therefore very suitable for long duration recording and for remote monitoring. Empowerment of nurses and other paramedical staff is emphasized as being an important component of a successful sustainable telecardiology program within a national telehealth infrastructure meant to provide affordable and quality healthcare to the citizenry no matter where they live.