What Korle Bu Teaching Hospital does

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) is Ghana's premier national referral and teaching hospital, located in Accra and founded in 1923. It is state-owned, operating under the Ghana Ministry of Health, and serves as the country's primary tertiary care destination, receiving over 70% of all inter-hospital referrals nationally while functioning simultaneously as a postgraduate medical training site (in partnership with the University of Ghana Medical School) and a clinical research institution. Patient volume exceeds 400,000 annually, with over 10,000 babies delivered per year. The facility spans 67 acres, runs 2,000+ beds across 21 clinical and diagnostic departments, and is the seat of four National Centres of Excellence: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Urology and Nephrology, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns, and Radiotherapy/Oncology/Nuclear Medicine—making it the third-largest referral hospital on the African continent.

The hospital's core "products" are tertiary clinical services delivered through its 21 departments and four Centres of Excellence, supported by diagnostic imaging (PET, MRI, Linear Accelerator) and ancillary services, plus structured postgraduate medical training delivered jointly with UGMS. Its underlying technology stack is conventional for a public African tertiary hospital: the LHIMS electronic medical records platform, a re-built Cardiac Cath Lab (commissioning July 2026, replacing assets lost in a March 2025 fire), and modernization-stage capital equipment. No proprietary AI or digital health platform is evidenced.

KBTH operates a multi-stream revenue model combining Ghana Ministry of Health budget allocations, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) reimbursements, private medical insurance, out-of-pocket patient payments, donor funding, and international patient revenue via its dedicated EIPU unit. Capital reinvestment is being financed in part by a Ghana Medical Trust Fund commitment of approximately GH¢2.3 billion, alongside new service launches (cochlear implants from April 2026, scaling kidney transplants, proposed IVF) and a first international capacity-building partnership with the Jamaica Ministry of Health signed in May 2026. As a state-owned entity, KBTH does not operate as a profit-maximising enterprise; surplus is reinvested into service expansion and equipment renewal under public-sector governance.

Name

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

Legal name

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

Website

https://kbth.gov.gh

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is Ghana's state-owned national referral teaching hospital in Accra, founded in 1923, treating 400,000+ patients annually across 2,000+ beds and 21 clinical departments, including four National Centres of Excellence, and serving as the country's primary tertiary care and postgraduate medical training institution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tertiary & Quaternary Healthcare Services

NAICS

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (6221)

SIC

Services-Hospitals (8060), Services-General Medical & Surgical Hospitals, Nec (8062)

akta.pro primary industry

Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) & Teaching Hospitals (HLAFAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cardiac & Cardiothoracic Specialty Hospitals (HLAFAHAA), Oncology & Cancer Specialty Hospitals (HLAFAHAC)

Keywords

• Tertiary healthcare services
• Specialist medical care
• Teaching hospital services
• Cardiac and oncology care
• Emergency medical services

Headquarters

HQ city

Accra

HQ country

Ghana

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Reimbursement: The hospital accepts NHIS coverage for patient services, with NHIS covering some but not all services. Patients pay cash for registration, pharmacy co-pays, and incidentals not covered by insurance.
2. Private Health Insurance: The hospital works with major private insurers for seamless billing, providing coverage options for patients with private health plans.
3. Patient Out-of-Pocket Payments: Patients pay cash for registration, pharmacy co-pays, and services not covered by NHIS or private insurance.
4. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Multiple donation channels including KBTH Medical Administrator Account, KBTH Trust Fund, and Critical Care Fund (supported by Fidelity Bank) to assist patients offsetting treatment costs.
5. Research Grants and Sponsored Studies: Research conducted with external funding subject to 10% administrative charge for funds lodged with and managed by KBTH. Clinical trials governed by Clinical Trial Agreements.
6. Premium International Patient Services: Executive & International Patients Unit provides premium healthcare services for executives, expatriates, diplomats, and international patients at competitive pricing compared to Europe or North America.
7. Government Budget Allocation: As Ghana's premier teaching hospital, KBTH receives government funding and support, including significant investment from Ghana Medical Trust Fund for equipment and infrastructure.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is Ghana's premier national referral and teaching hospital providing quaternary healthcare services across 21 clinical and diagnostic departments and four nationally designated Centres of Excellence (Cardiothoracic, Urology & Nephrology, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery & Burns, and Radiotherapy, Oncology & Nuclear Medicine). The 2,000+ bed facility delivers 24/7 emergency care, specialist consultations, advanced surgeries including cardiac and transplant procedures, maternal and child health services, diagnostic imaging, and clinical research, serving over 400,000 patients annually through referral-based and emergency access channels.

Product overview

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital operates as a unified healthcare institution offering comprehensive medical services through a platform of 21 clinical and diagnostic departments and 4 nationally designated Centres of Excellence. The hospital's core offering consists of quaternary healthcare services organised into clinical departments (Surgery, Medicine, Child Health, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Anaesthesia, Radiology) and four specialised Centres of Excellence: the National Cardiothoracic Centre (cardiac/thoracic surgery), National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery & Burns Centre, Urology & Nephrology Centre of Excellence (including dialysis and kidney transplants), and National Radiotherapy, Oncology & Nuclear Medicine Centre. Supporting services include 24/7 Accident & Emergency care, the Executive & International Patients Unit (EIPU) for premium patients, specialty clinics, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, and pharmacy. The hospital also provides health education, community outreach programmes, and research ethics oversight. The institution accepts National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and works with major private insurers for billing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Cardiothoracic Centre
• National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery & Burns Centre
• Urology & Nephrology Centre of Excellence
• National Radiotherapy, Oncology & Nuclear Medicine Centre
• Executive & International Patients Unit (EIPU)
• Accident & Emergency Centre
• Department of Child Health
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology Department
• Department of Surgery
• Department of Medicine & Therapeutics
• Department of Anaesthesia
• Department of Radiology
• Lions International Eye Centre
• Audiology Centre / Cochlear Implant Programme
• Paediatric Oncology Unit
• Research & Ethics Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10,000 babies delivered every year (more than 27 per day)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2026The National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre (NRPSBC) conducted a week-long faculty exchange programme with OHSU under facilitation by Operation Smile International, screening 21 patients and performing 13 successful cleft surgeries. This partnership enhances surgical training and expertise exchange in reconstructive procedures.
• Operation Smile InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2026Facilitates faculty exchange programmes between Korle Bu and international institutions like Oregon Health & Science University for cleft lip and palate surgeries and reconstructive procedures.
• Mount Carmel Hospital, Ohio, USAcoreTechnology or Integration · 12 July 2026Specialists from Mount Carmel Hospital collaborated with the National Cardiothoracic Centre to perform the first four pacemaker implant procedures at the newly commissioned Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory.
• British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026A six-member BAOMS team conducted a three-day training programme on advanced maxillofacial reconstructive surgery at Korle Bu, bringing microsurgical techniques for head and neck reconstruction. The partnership aims to establish Ghana as a regional centre of excellence in maxillofacial surgery.
• Norman Rowe International Educational Foundation (NRIEF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026A sub-committee and humanitarian charity of BAOMS, NRIEF provides technical support and training in advanced reconstructive surgery techniques. The foundation aims to help reduce treatment costs for patients while building local surgical expertise.
• College of Health Sciences (University of Ghana)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026Collaboration between KBTH and University of Ghana Medical School and Dental School for maxillofacial reconstructive surgery training programmes, supporting the multidisciplinary approach required in complex head and neck reconstruction.
• Mount Sinai Hospital, USAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2026Specialist cardiologists from Mount Sinai Hospital are partnering with the National Cardiothoracic Centre and Ghana Medical Trust Fund for a landmark programme to provide complex cardiac implantable electronic device procedures for initial 30 patients selected from across Ghana.
• Africa World AirlinesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2026Supporting the cardiac care programme by transporting patients from northern Ghana to Accra for specialised cardiac procedures, demonstrating coordinated national effort for equitable healthcare access.
• American Society of Hematology (ASH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2026ASH sponsors the Consortium on Newborn Screening in Africa (CONSA) Community Health Worker Initiative at Korle Bu. Trained 45 frontline health workers from eight facilities to strengthen community-based follow-up, caregiver support and retention in care for children living with Sickle Cell Disease.
• Cure Blindness ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2026Partnered with Lions International Eye Centre for subsidised cataract surgery outreach at Ada East District Government Hospital. 176 patients were screened and 65 underwent successful cataract surgery, with 56 referred for further care.
• Jamaican Ministry of Health and WellnessminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2026Exploring clinical rotation partnerships with Korle Bu for capacity building of Jamaican clinical staff. The Ministry seeks to establish the hospital as a key training partner for building clinical expertise.
• University of LeicestercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026Lead institution for the Collaborative Care For Cardiometabolic Disease (CREATE) programme, a Global Health Research Group training researchers, healthcare providers and community champions across Ghana, Kenya and Mozambique.
• The LancetminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026Joint hosting of CREATE programme dissemination event alongside launch of The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology review series on diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• MED-EL GhanacoreTechnology or Integration · 21 April 2026Partner with Qatar Charity Ghana for cochlear implant programme, providing specialised audio processors and technical support for hearing restoration procedures at Korle Bu's Audiology Centre.
• West African College of SurgeonscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026Partnership for glaucoma training programme at the Eye Centre, building subspecialty capacity and enhancing glaucoma care across the West African sub-region.
• Moorfields Eye HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026Collaborative training programme with Moorfields for glaucoma subspecialty development, as part of the West African College of Surgeons-Moorfields Glaucoma Training Programme.
• University of Ghana Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated teaching institution for medical student training, postgraduate programmes, and collaborative research. KBTH serves as the primary clinical training site for Ghana's future doctors.
• Ghana College of Physicians and SurgeonscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated professional body providing postgraduate specialist training in urology, nephrology, and other disciplines for doctors at Korle Bu.
• Ghana College of Nurses and MidwivescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated professional body for postgraduate nursing specialist training, including emergency medicine nursing certification.
• West African College of Physicians and SurgeonscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional professional body affiliated for postgraduate specialist training in urology and nephrology.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital: Major South African academic hospital affiliated with the University of the Witwatersrand. Comparable as a public teaching hospital offering quaternary care, complex surgery, and training across multiple specialties, though situated in a higher-resourced healthcare system.
• Groote Schuur Hospital: South African academic hospital affiliated with the University of Cape Town, renowned for cardiac surgery and the first heart transplant. Comparable to KBTH in role as a public teaching hospital with internationally recognised specialty centres and active research portfolio.
• Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital: The largest academic hospital in Africa (and one of the largest globally), affiliated with the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Comparable as a public teaching hospital at a substantially larger scale, providing a benchmark for upper-bound infrastructure and case volume.
• Tygerberg Hospital: Large South African academic hospital affiliated with Stellenbosch University. Comparable as a public-sector teaching hospital with multiple specialty services and a training mandate, operating in a more developed health system than KBTH.

Direct peers

• Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH): Major Nigerian federal teaching hospital in Lagos affiliated with the University of Lagos. Comparable to KBTH in scale, specialty services, training role, and publicly funded tertiary/quaternary care delivery within West Africa.
• Kenyatta National Hospital: Kenya's largest and oldest national referral and teaching hospital, affiliated with the University of Nairobi. Directly comparable to KBTH as a public, government-owned teaching hospital serving as the premier referral destination in its country, with similar scale of beds, departments, and annual patient volume.
• Mulago National Referral Hospital: Uganda's main national referral and teaching hospital, affiliated with Makerere University. Closely parallels KBTH's role as a public teaching hospital receiving the majority of national referrals, with comparable scope of specialised services and West/East African government ownership structure.
• University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan: Nigeria's pioneering teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Ibadan. Matches KBTH's profile as a public, government-funded academic medical centre with multiple specialty centres, training mandate, and national referral function within West Africa.
• Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital: Ghana's second-largest teaching hospital located in Kumasi, also affiliated with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Direct domestic peer to KBTH, sharing the same national healthcare system, NHIS funding, government ownership, and teaching hospital role, though smaller in scale.

Others

• University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS): KBTH's affiliated medical training institution under the College of Health Sciences. Not a peer in clinical delivery but is an ecosystem partner that supplies and develops the hospital's clinical workforce and research pipeline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KBTH_GH
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@korlebuteachinghospital
• Facebookfacebook.com/korlebuteachinghospital
• Instagraminstagram.com/korlebuteachinghospital

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Korle Bu Teaching Hospital