HealthTech Ghana Limited, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, has inaugurated Ghana’s first Philips BlueSeal helium-free Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Diagnostic Centre at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.

The initiative, established under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement, seeks to restore and significantly expand diagnostic services at the hospital while addressing longstanding challenges associated with the maintenance and replacement of advanced medical equipment in public health facilities.

At the centre of the project is the Philips BlueSeal MRI, Ghana’s first 1.5 Tesla helium-free MRI system. The facility is also equipped with a comprehensive diagnostics infrastructure, including computed tomography (CT) scanning and a wide range of laboratory and clinical diagnostic services.

As part of activities marking the official opening of the facility, eligible patients would have access to free MRI scans for two weeks, from June 8 to June 20, 2026, strictly by appointment.

According to the organisers, beneficiaries must be registered patients of the 37 Military Hospital and present a completed doctor’s request form recommending an MRI scan.

Although the MRI procedure itself would be offered at no charge during the period, a minimal fee would be charged for MRI image reporting by a radiology consultant or specialist to ensure professional interpretation of the scan results.

A statement issued in Accra on Thursday said the partnership model was designed to address structural challenges that have historically affected advanced medical equipment in public hospitals, including frequent breakdowns, inadequate maintenance and the absence of sustainable replacement mechanisms.

It explained that combining private sector investment with the institutional infrastructure of the 37 Military Hospital created a self-sustaining arrangement capable of operating independently of recurrent public procurement cycles.

The statement further indicated that the 37 Military Hospital project represented the first phase of a broader national expansion plan involving PPP-structured diagnostic facilities across the country.

The long-term objective, it said, was to ensure that advanced medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics and dialysis services became accessible to Ghanaians regardless of their income levels or geographical location.

Beyond MRI services, the diagnostic centre would provide round-the-clock CT scanning, digital X-ray, mammography and ultrasound services for patients requiring detailed imaging assessments.

These services would support the diagnosis and management of various conditions, including stroke, trauma-related injuries and cancer.

In addition, integrated laboratory diagnostic services covering haematology, biochemistry and pathology would be available to enable patients to undergo comprehensive clinical evaluations at a single location.

The statement said the integrated approach was intended to reduce the need for patients to visit multiple facilities before obtaining confirmed diagnoses.

It added that the range of services positioned the 37 Military Hospital among the most comprehensively equipped diagnostic centres currently accessible to the Ghanaian public.