Healthcare in Crisis: Ghana Loses Five Years of Patient Records After LHIMS Shutdown

Doctors and health professionals across Ghana are grappling with a major disruption in patient care after electronic medical records dating back to 2020 were rendered inaccessible following the abrupt shutdown of the Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS).

The interruption, which lasted several weeks, has forced clinicians to abandon electronic platforms and rely on makeshift alternatives such as exercise books and physical folders. The situation has led to long queues in hospitals and threatens the quality of healthcare delivery nationwide.

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh confirmed that the government is transitioning to a new Ghana Health Information Management System (GHIMS) to replace LHIMS, citing disputes with the previous system provider. Officials say the LHIMS contractors failed to meet contractual obligations, including connecting over 900 health facilities to the platform.

Specialists warn the data loss has severe implications for patient care. Dr. Elliot Koranteng, a nephrologist at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), told JoyNews that without historical medical records, doctors are essentially “blind” when diagnosing and managing chronic illnesses.

“Whatever has happened to a patient’s kidney function, whether it’s improving or worsening, we would normally know by checking past lab results. Now, even if a patient presents today with a creatinine level of 200, we cannot tell if this is an improvement or deterioration because we lack prior data,” Dr. Koranteng explained.

He described the ethical and clinical risks of replacing one electronic system with another, noting that the reliability of traditional folders has ironically surpassed that of electronic records.

“We now face questions about linking new GHIMS cards with previous LHIMS records. Patient continuity of care is at serious risk,” he said. “Medical data is sacrosanct. Without it, we are effectively unable to manage our patients safely.”

The data loss is also affecting academic and research work. Longitudinal studies, clinical trials, and health research that rely on historical records are at risk, threatening grant-dependent projects and scientific integrity.

Health professionals are urging the government to restore access to lost records immediately and implement measures to prevent future disruptions, warning that patient safety and research progress are at stake.