UPDATES
Work at our hospital continues even though the government
owes the facility 11 months of insurance reimbursement. The total amount owed
to the hospital by the insurance system is approximately $750,000. I am amazed that we can still care for patients and keep the doors open.
On Sunday June 11, 2017, the hospital welcomed 7 students
and their mentors from the United States in addition to 5 medical students from
Ireland. These students and mentors will be spending a month at our facility.
Those from the States are part of the Greenlight Medical program created by TMS
Global. The main purpose of this program is to provide a cross-cultural
learning experience for students interested in using healthcare to serve in
cross cultural ministry. These students have varied interests such as nursing,
medicine, social work etc.
Students at the entrance of the town's library. The "reading town library" was built by Anne Gongwer, wife of Dr. Cameron Gongwer (man in white polo shirt)
The second group of students, from Ireland, are 4th
year medical students from the University College Cork (UCC). These students
belong to the Surgeon Noonan program and have chosen to spend a month at our
facility and learn about tropical medicine as part of their medical school
elective.
During their first week at the facility, they spent time
with clinicians at ward rounds, joined our morning devotions held on Mondays
and Thursdays, visited the open-air market in Ankaase, met the Kumasi
Diocese Methodist Bishop and joined the Methodist health professionals
conference held in Kumasi. The second week followed a similar pattern but
included a visit to the tertiary hospital in Kumasi (Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital) and the district health
directorate where the health director discussed disease burden in the district
among other issues.
Students introducing themselves during a stop at the Methodist Bishop's (in purple shirt) office.
The hospital is privileged to host and partner with TMS
global and the Surgeon Noonan group at UCC to advance medical ministry across
cultures.
I am happy to report that the second surgery to repair
Emmanuel Yamoah’s palate was successful. The surgical repair was done on Thursday
June 15, 2017 and he was discharged on Saturday June 17, 2017. Through your
generous contributions, Anidasowoha fund helped with the hospital bills. This
ends a wild journey for the Yamoah family as cleft lip and palate are viewed
negatively in this culture. We are glad that the corrective surgery is complete
and that the infant won't deal with what the culture deems a bad omen,
for the rest of his life.
On Sunday June 18, 2017, we organized the second health talk
and screening at the local Methodist church.
The Irish medical students joined me at church and participated in
screening and counseling church members about hypertension and diabetes. We had
a very productive service. The students were excited about the program but
shocked at the high prevalence of hypertension in those screened.
Church members waiting to be screened.
One female
member, whose blood pressure was 220/126 mmHg, was immediately taken to the
hospital and admitted. She was given anti-hypertensives and observed for about
12 hours before discharge. I’ve been informed that she is much better. Another
female member, who was advised to go to the hospital during last month’s
screening, presented with a blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg. Her previous
measurement before drug management was above 180/110 mmHg.
Elaine, one of the medical students, checking the blood pressure of a church member. Ernest, in multi-colored shirt, documenting blood sugar readings
Hypertension is a significant contributor to morbidity and
mortality in our district and the country. One of our goals is to reduce the incidence
of hypertensive emergencies in this community by providing appropriate education
to community members by using the church as a conduit.
Sinead (in white shirt) and Ciara checking and documenting BP measurements
Please visit the new and improved hospital's website at http://www.mfhhospital.org/ to learn more about the services and activities at the facility.
You can also follow and like us on facebook by searching for "mfhhospital"
Find us on google maps by searching for "Methodist Faith Healing Hospital"
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