The University of Applied Sciences Zwickau, Germany, is exploring a strategic partnership with the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) to create opportunities for practical training, joint research, staff exchange and professional development in healthcare and health management.

The exploratory engagement formed part of a high-level visit by a delegation from the university to HTH, led by Professor Dominike Kunze and Professor René Schübert, specialists in health management, finance, economics, public health and health services research.

The team also included Professor Elvis Tarkang, Dean of International Programmes at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).

The visit was supported by the German university and builds on an existing academic relationship between the University of Applied Sciences Schmalkalden and UHAS, which saw Ghanaian students participate in a six-month exchange programme in Germany in 2024.

Discussions at HTH focused on broadening international academic partnerships beyond conventional student exchange programmes to include hands-on clinical and administrative attachments, multidisciplinary training, collaborative research, staff mobility and knowledge exchange involving HTH, UHAS and the German institutions.

The engagement also provided the German delegation with an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into HTH’s operations, clinical services, management systems and development priorities, while identifying areas where future institutional collaboration could be mutually beneficial.

During the engagement, the HTH team, led by Acting Head of Public Relations Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi, presented the hospital’s institutional development journey and strategic vision.

Mr Kanyi outlined plans to expand the hospital’s capacity with a new 500-bed facility, including the development of a dedicated oncology unit to complement existing specialist services.

The hospital’s growing focus on medical and wellness tourism was also highlighted, with HTH serving patients from neighbouring West African countries, including Togo, Benin and Nigeria.

Its wellness initiatives include a dedicated Music Therapy Studio, which complements conventional healthcare services and forms part of the hospital’s broader vision for an integrated healing environment.

A key focus of the discussions was the potential for the German university and HTH to develop practical, cross-departmental learning opportunities that would expose students and professionals to different healthcare systems and approaches.

Potential areas of collaboration identified include joint research, practical attachments, staff exchange, health management training, public health, clinical learning and health services research.

As part of the visit, the delegation toured selected clinical and support service areas of the hospital, including the Family Health Centre and the Accident and Emergency Unit.

At the Family Health Centre, the delegation engaged the Customer Care team on the hospital’s approach to receiving, documenting and addressing patient feedback and complaints.

The structured approach to patient feedback management attracted particular interest from the visiting professors, who observed that similar customer service structures could be valuable within healthcare institutions in Germany.