A problem highlighted...

A 2010 publication by the Ghana health service reported the doctor to population ratio as 1: 11, 929  while a 2014 report showed a slight decrease (1: 9,043)1,2. These numbers indicate that Ghanaian doctors are burdened with a high patient load. As a result, patients may not receive the needed care and in some instances, a delay in receiving appropriate care even in emergencies.

The above problem was highlighted a few weeks ago when we admitted a young adult male patient to the emergency department in our hospital. He presented with diffuse abdominal pain, vomiting, rigors and hyperthermia. A focused assessment revealed a strangulated inguinal hernia which warranted immediate surgical intervention. Since our facility lacks a surgeon, we contacted the tertiary facility about 45 minutes away to refer this patient for further management but were informed that they were at full capacity and lacked extra hospital beds to admit this patient. Our pleas that this was an emergency did not help. So, for 3 days this patient continued to vomit and lie around in severe pain as we kept calling and pestering the tertiary facility for admission.

After the third day, the head of the emergency unit called one of our hospital’s nurse anesthetist to discuss the situation. The anesthetist called a consultant surgeon, who was prepping for an elective surgery, and informed him about the situation. Due to the emergent nature of our patient’s situation, the surgeon called off his surgery and drove to our facility to perform an emergency herniorrhaphy (hernia repair). Had the surgeon delayed, this patient would have lost his life. Due to the 3-day wait, he lost about 3cm of his bowel due to lack of blood supply. Thankfully, the surgery went well, the patient recovered fully and has been discharged.

Unfortunately, similar situations occur at other locations in the country. We need more physicians and surgeons in this country and are hopeful that this new government will institute new policies that will ensure the training of more health professionals. 

I want to use this opportunity to show my appreciation for the New Beginnings Sunday School class at Hilldale UMC (Lewisport, KY), led by Diane Lee, for their continued support of our ministry in Ghana. Thank you so much and God richly bless you.

New Beginnings SS class. Thank you :)


On April 26, 2017 Emmanuel Yamoah will be evaluated for the second part of his cleft lip/palate surgery. Please lift him and his parents in your prayers as they prepare for another round of surgery and hospital stay.


Reference 

1.   Ghana health service report 2010): https://s3.amazonaws.com/ndpc- static/CACHES/NEWS/2015/07/14//2010+GHS+Facts+and+Figures.pdf

2.   Ghana health service report (2014):
 https://www.ghanahealthservice.org/downloads/Ghana_Health_Service_2014_Annual_Report.pdf




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