We are delighted to have been invited to the Holy Family Hospital, Techiman, to begin a new AMHSI workstream in Ghana.
Following a chance encounter at the ACPGBI international conference earlier this year, Louise of SWIFTSS met Jen of ‘Operation International–UK’ another charitable organisation that have a long-standing relationship with the Holy Family Hospital in Techiman. Whilst the surgical team already has experience of mesh hernia surgery, their ability to provide that service is entirely dependent upon supplies of donated commercial mesh (usually left over from OI missions). This means that they have often had to revert back to sutured repairs when the supply runs out and inevitable issues of affordability present. Dr Emmanuel Acquah had previously raised this issue with Jen and when she went back to him with our AMHSI as a solution, he was delighted to invite us to Ghana.
Piggybacking on the latest OI-UK mission (a significant multinational 15 strong team), Mark and Lesley travelled to Techiman with an autoclave, mesh supply and training materials; inducting the team there as a new AMHSI centre. We flexed our programme around the mission agenda and local service activities (which dovetailed very well). We were also delighted to accommodate some basic surgical skills training – another specific request. Jen’s original plan was nicely complimented by Lesley’s extensive materials and experience of providing such courses.
We very much enjoyed our time with the team at the Holy Family Hospital and leave confident of an enduring relationship and the that the foundations for another high quality and sustainable AMHSI service have been laid.
Our sincere thanks go to Emmanuel and the whole Holy Family team (especially the lovely and very capable CSSD staff) and to Jen and the OI team. Another exciting step for SWIFTSS.