By Grace Zigah
After weeks of uncertainty and public debate surrounding the e-health infrastructure, the National Democratic Congress government has officially launched the rollout of a new digital medical records system — the Ghana Health Information Management System (GHIMS) — at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH).
The move signals a renewed push by the Ministry of Health to strengthen the nation’s digital healthcare framework.
The introduction of GHIMS follows a period of tension and controversy over the previous Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS), which had served as the flagship e-health platform since 2016.
That system, developed by Ghanaian-owned Lightwave E-Healthcare Solutions Ltd, was implemented across hundreds of facilities but became the subject of public disagreement between the Ministry of Health and the company over contractual and operational issues.
The new rollout from Tamale is therefore being closely watched as a test case for the next chapter in digital healthcare transformation.
At the official entry meeting held at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Abubakari Bawah Abdulai, welcomed the National Rollout and Stabilization Team from the Ministry of Health and commended the government’s renewed commitment to healthcare technology.
He described the GHIMS project as “very dear to the Tamale Teaching Hospital,” pledging his full support and that of the hospital’s management for the successful implementation of the system.
Dr. Bawah underscored that the hospital’s inclusion in the national rollout aligns perfectly with its broader vision of improving operational efficiency, service quality, and patient outcomes through digital innovation.
The Ministry of Health team, tasked with overseeing the system’s deployment, engaged key hospital stakeholders — including central management, Sub-BMC managers, and unit heads — to outline the implementation plan for critical service areas.
The process, according to officials, will include intensive training sessions for selected staff members across various departments to ensure smooth adoption and sustainability.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has said the rollout of GHIMS is part of government’s broader agenda to modernize healthcare administration and eliminate inefficiencies in patient management systems.
The Tamale Teaching Hospital was chosen as one of the first facilities for the rollout due to its strategic importance as the leading referral centre for Northern part and its readiness to adopt digital innovation.
The new system, once fully operational, is expected to enhance service delivery, reduce duplication of medical records, and improve decision-making through better data accuracy.
It will also support the Ministry’s plan to integrate all regional and district health facilities under one coordinated electronic health platform.
