And the beard disappeared…
Last week’s post included a section about my adventures as a bearded man in Ghana. Due to all the fun I was having, I decided to shave off the beard. But I am just as warm now as I was before the beard came off. But if a clean shaven face keeps the cops from getting too excited each time they see me, then I’m all in JJJ

On Wednesday March 2, Drs. Cameron and Curtis Gongwer including Dr. James Blechl and I traveled from Ankaase to Kumasi for the Methodist Health Conference. This was a 2-day conference aimed at providing networking opportunities and continuing education for participants. Participants were employees from the Methodist health system and included lab technicians, nurses, physician assistants, physicians and hospital administrators.

Presentations included living a missional life, praying with patients, childhood anemia, gestational diabetes, type II diabetes, management of stroke, leadership and management and a few case studies. It was a very rewarding and educational experience.

On Sunday March 7 (independence day in Ghana) we escorted Drs. Gongwer and Blechl to the Kumasi airport. They left for the US on Sunday night and are safely home. We’ve had a wonderful and blessed time working together.

From left-right: with Drs. Cameron, James and Curtis at the Kumasi airport

Our awesome driver  and friend Mr. Agyeman

I returned home after the airport to spend time with my family. I have been helping my mom with her bread making business when I’m not busy. What I mean by “help” is telling stories and trying to keep the behemoth mosquitoes from my legs and arms while everyone works JJ Most people in Ghana like fresh bread so most bread makers bake new bread every day. This means you have to start baking at midnight, finish by morning and start delivery before people have their breakfasts.


waiting to be baked

I traveled with the CEO of the Methodist hospital to Ankaase on Tuesday March 8. Because of the caliber of roads, it feels like riding bumper cars whenever you travel by a vehicle. Unfortunately, a taxi driver run into the back of our truck as we were on our way to meet staff members at the hospital. Thankfully, it was a minor accident and we suffered no harm. Even the truck came out unscathed.

The new building for Ankaase Hospital

happy faces at a local school


Update on patient with low Hgb:  I mentioned in a previous post about a patient with low Hgb who was taken to the hospital for an emergency blood transfusion. Further assessment showed a uterine fibroid which was subsequently removed. Her labs are now within normal limits. We are pleased by her outcome and give God the glory.  Much can be done here to help those in extreme need but the challenges are outstanding. Yet there’s always a ray of hope…



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
The Beard must go…. The past week has been very busy albeit interesting. Esther (my sister) visited on Wednesday and advised me to shave the beard I’ve been growing. Apparently, having a beard in Ghana is associated with being a Muslim. She is scared of men with beards. Nevertheless, she hugged me so that was nice. We had a good visit and it was good to see her again. Esther and I at the mission guest house in Tanoso. She says the beard must go ;)  The team spent 4 days (Thursday – Sunday) at Agona Swedro (Central Region) with clinics and crusades held at Beseadze (about 30-minute drive from Agona). Agona Swedro is in the Central region and about a 2.5 hour from Kumasi (Ashanti region). The location of the clinics and crusades was between a shrine and a mosque. In Ghana, shrines are used by traditional believers (they worship tress, stones, rivers and animals). Therefore, we found it interesting that such a location was approved by the chief. But, the chief has authori
Read more

Lake side Clinic

Image
On Tuesday July 12, 2016 I joined a group of individuals from my hospital (Ankaase) and from the Methodist head office in Kumasi for a visit to Amakom, a small village  about 20 miles southeast of Kumasi. This village is home to a Methodist clinic and also Lake Bosomtwe, the biggest natural lake in Ghana. Its beautifully located. But due to financial hardship, poorly run insurance scheme and a bad road network, the clinic is not being utilized as it should. Yet, there are people in the community who need the services of this clinic.  Road heading into Amakom. Lake Bosomtwe is in the background Because the people in the community are very poor (mostly farmers) and cannot afford clinical services, the clinic sometimes provide free service. But financial constraints and lack of medical resources prevent them from adequately providing care, even if its free. A few weeks ago, a young patient died there because of lack of intravenous (IV) fluids.   A view of the lake from th
Read more

One week Medical Mission in Ankaase

It’s been a while since I posted anything on here. Lots have happened since my last post including a recent marriage and job transfer to the Philadelphia area. The Lord has been good to us. On September 21, 2018 I joined Randall Brooks, Dan Chettleburgh, Leigh Scott and Linda Forbes, physical, occupational and recreational therapists from South Bend (Indiana), at JFK for a flight to Ghana. We traveled to Ankaase to work on improving function for stroke patients. We will also be working with  patients with musculoskeletal injuries/pain. The team's Facebook page and pictures can be assessed   here    The journey to Ankaase was uneventful. We arrived on Saturday September 22, 2018  1 pm local time and settled in the hospital’s guest house. Currently, Ghana is 4 hours ahead of eastern standard time. After a brief resting period, we toured the town and took in the sights and scenes. On Sunday September 23, we attended a community church service that was held by the Methodis
Read more