Tamale is the capital city of the Northern Region of Ghana and is recognized as the country’s third-largest city. Tamale is situated in north-central Ghana, approximately 600 km north of Accra. As of the 2010 census, Tamale had a population of 371,351 people. Recent estimates suggest that the metro area population could be around 784,000 in 2025, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 3.5% annually.
HEALTHCARE INSIGHTS
- The Phase II of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) project has been commissioned. This expansion includes a 400-bed facility equipped with modern equipment
- Qatar Charity established a new, specialized health center in the “Gombihini-Tamale” area, providing essential medical services to women and children who previously had to travel long distances for care
- Malaria remains a significant health concern in Tamale, particularly among children. The city experiences approximately three clinical episodes of malaria per child per year. The case fatality rate for severe malaria in Tamale is around 11%.
- Tamale lies within the “meningitis belt” of sub-Saharan Africa and has experienced recurrent outbreaks of this disease, especially during the dry season.
DISEASE BURDEN
Maternal Mortality Ratio: The maternal mortality ratio at the Tamale Teaching Hospital was recorded at 724.5 per 100,000 live births from 2008 to 2010, which is higher than the national average of 451 per 100,000 live births in 2008. The main causes of maternal deaths included sepsis (19.8%), hypertensive disorders (18.6%), and hemorrhage (15.8%)
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
- Prevalence: NCDs are becoming increasingly prevalent in the Tamale Metropolis, with alarming rates reported among the population. Major contributing factors include lifestyle changes and poor dietary habits.
- Causes of Death: A review of medical certificates revealed that NCDs accounted for 50% of deaths in Northern Ghana. Cardiovascular disorders were the leading cause, comprising 49.2% of NCD-related deaths
Communicable Diseases
- Malaria: Malaria remains a significant health issue in Tamale, with a prevalence rate among children diagnosed at 50.7% in recent studies. It is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the region.
- Other Diseases: Other communicable diseases impacting the population include diarrhea (20%), typhoid fever (13.3%), and sickle cell disease (10%) among children.
MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS
| Sr. No | INSTITUTION | PROGRAMMES |
| 1 | University for Development Studies (UDS) School of Medicine and Health Sciences | · Medicine · Public Health and Nursing · Medical Laboratory Technology · Health Information Management |
| 2 | Tamale Technical University (TaTU) | · Medical Laboratory Technology · Health Services Management |
| 3 | Community Health Nurses Training School | · Nursing |
LIST OF HOSPITALS
| PUBLIC HOSPITALS | |
| SR.NO | HOSPITAL |
| 1 | Tamale West Hospital – 100 beds |
| 2 | Tamale Teaching Hospital- 800 beds |
| 3 | Tamale polyclinic |
| 4 | Fuo Community Hospital |
| 5 | Tamale Technical University Hospital |
| 6 | Tamale Central Hospital |
| 7 | St. Lucy Polyclinic |
| PRIVATE HOSPITALS | |
| SR.NO | HOSPITAL |
| 1 | Kabsad Scientific Hospital |
| 2 | Habana Medical Service |
| 3 | Aisha Hospital |
| 4 | SDA Hospital |
| 5 | Marie Stopes Clinic, Tamale |
| 6 | St. Lucy Catholic Hospital |
| 7 | Marshal Medical Centre Limited |
DIAGNOSTIC CENTRES
- King’s Diagnostic Imaging and Research Centre
- Golden Heart Diagnostics Centre
- Labhill Diagnostics Main Branch
- First-Class Diagnostics Centre
- Jag’s Clinical Laboratory Services Limited
- Clare Lens Diagnostic Laboratory
- A1 Diagnostic and Laboratory Centre Ltd
- Habana Medical Service
- Unique Medicare Laboratory and Diagnostic Centre
- Polderman Diagnostic Centre
- Advanz Diagnostic and Research Center
- Sokam Medical Diagnostics Services
- Mansusu Clinic and Diagnostic Centre