Perspectives of Nuclear Medicine In Ghana

Nuclear medicine is one of the most transformative innovations in modern health care, providing groundbreaking solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases. Despite its immense potential, nuclear medicine remains relatively unknown to the general public, necessitating greater efforts to raise awareness about its benefits and therapeutic applications.

Ghana’s health care system faces significant challenges that demand the adoption of advanced technologies like nuclear medicine to enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficiency. Currently, the country has only three radiotherapy and diagnostic centres – two public and one private – serving approximately 3,000 patients annually.

This capacity is insufficient to meet the needs of the entire population. Moreover, there is a severe shortage of trained nuclear medicine specialists, with only three radiologists, six medical physicists, and four radiology technologists nationwide. Establishing additional nuclear medicine centres, particularly in northern regions such as Tamale, would be a crucial step in improving health care accessibility.

The existing medical infrastructure in Ghana also lacks sufficient diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. The country has only six megavoltage machines for external radiotherapy, three brachytherapy units, and a limited number of CT and MRI scanners per million people. Ghana has virtually no PET/CT scanners, and there are no cyclotrons or local production facilities for radiopharmaceuticals, making the country entirely reliant on imports from China and South Africa.

Nuclear medicine offers a game-changing opportunity to address these issues by enabling precise diagnostics and effective treatment for a wide range of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, endocrine conditions, and neurological disorders.

In a country where access to specialised medical care is limited, the use of radiopharmaceuticals and advanced imaging technologies would allow for early disease detection, improving treatment outcomes and reducing the burden on Ghana’s health care system.

However, realising the full potential of nuclear medicine requires expertise, infrastructure, and reliable access to medical isotopes – areas where global leaders in nuclear technology play a crucial role.

One such leader is Russia’s Rosatom that is among the top five global suppliers of radioisotopes, offering the broadest range of radionuclides for medical applications. In 2024 alone, exports of it’s isotope products increased by 7%, reflecting the growing global demand for its contributions to the health care sector.

Every year, more than 2.5 million diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are performed using Rosatom’s isotopes, which are supplied to over 170 companies in 50 countries. The company operates 14 specialised production facilities that employ a variety of isotope production techniques, ensuring reliable and uninterrupted supply. Additionally, the corporation is constructing a radiopharmaceutical production plant, which will further increase the availability of these critical medical products.

Among the key radiopharmaceuticals are technetium-99m and molybdenum-99, which are essential for nuclear medicine imaging and are used in millions of diagnostic procedures annually. These isotopes enable high-precision scanning of almost all organs, making them indispensable in medical diagnostics.

Samarium-153 is widely utilised for the treatment of bone metastases, effectively reducing pain and slowing disease progression. Iodine-131 remains a primary treatment option for thyroid cancer and other thyroid disorders, while actinium-225- and lutetium-177-based radiopharmaceuticals represent cutting-edge advances in targeted cancer therapy.

“As the global need for nuclear medicine continues to grow, Rosatom remains committed to ensuring a stable and uninterrupted supply of essential medical isotopes,” says Ryan Collyer, CEO at Rosatom Central and Southern Africa. “Our expertise spans the entire nuclear medicine value chain – from isotope production to advanced radiopharmaceuticals and cutting-edge medical equipment. By working with partners worldwide, including in Africa, we are helping to expand access to life-saving diagnostic and therapeutic technologies where they are needed most.”

Investing in nuclear medicine is not just an investment in technology – it is a commitment to securing Ghana’s health care future. Developing this sector would enable the country to establish its own production capacity for radioactive isotopes, reducing dependency on imports and improving the overall quality of health care services. Advanced diagnostic technologies would facilitate early detection of diseases, leading to more effective treatment and lower mortality rates.

Collaboration with leading global companies presents Ghana with a unique opportunity to access cutting-edge nuclear medicine technologies. By integrating these solutions, Ghana can position itself as a regional leader in medical innovation, significantly enhancing health care delivery and patient outcomes across the country.

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