Sanford Health launches clinics effort in Ghana

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Dakotas-based Sanford Health has opened for business in Africa.

The health network with headquarters in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Fargo, N.D., has taken over one clinic in Ghana, is building two more and is on track to have 10 clinics in the country.

The medical giant that bills itself as the nation's largest not-for-profit rural health care provider aims to have a presence on four continents in the next three years. It plans clinics in Ireland, Mexico and Israel.

Executive vice president Ruth Krystopolski tells the Argus Leader newspaper that Sanford anticipates eventually having more than 100 clinics around the globe.

Sanford Health was formed by the merger of two health systems in the Dakotas in 2009. It has a presence in more than 100 communities in eight states.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)