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In a remarkable display of medical expertise and compassion, a team of surgeons has performed major surgeries for over 25 patients at Tain District Hospital, marking the facility’s 60th anniversary celebration.
The free plastic surgery conducted by Ghanaian surgeons with support from medical experts from Ohio was funded by Compassion International Ghana, a non-governmental organization dedicated to transforming lives.
Patients, including an 18-month-old girl, were discharged after undergoing almost three hour’s surgeries for cleft lip and palate. Other beneficiaries were also treated for haemangiomas, keloids, and contractures from burns, syndacty, polydactyly, and other deformities.
Dr. Salim Mancho, a plastic surgeon based in Ohio, USA, explained to Kaakyire Kwasi Afari of Sunyani-based Ark fm that cleft lip and palate are birth defects that occur when facial structures fail to close completely during fetal development, hindering proper breathing and speaking.
Dr. Mancho expressed admiration for the Ghanaian surgeons’ exceptional expertise in conducting complex surgeries.
He was also impressed by the hospital’s state-of-the-art equipment, describing it as fully furnished and cutting-edge.
In a separate interview, the Head of Administration at Tain District Hospital, Mr. Richard Asamoah stated that the week-long surgical operation is part of the activities outlined to celebrate the hospital’s diamond jubilee slated to climax in November this year.
He siad, the theme “Prospects for a Secondary Facility: The Role of Stakeholders,” aims to bring stakeholders together to secure financial support for three key objectives: procuring a CT scan, improving staff welfare, and providing accommodation for staff.
According to him, the initiative is part of the district hospital’s quest to demand upgrading to a regional hospital status.
Mr. Asamoah attributed the facility’s success to the state-of-the-art equipment, hard work, and professionalism of the staff in delivering quality healthcare for clients.
Mr. Joshua Tigan, the Internal Auditor at Tain Hospital, said the facility was established in 1965 as a health centre and upgraded by the Ghana Health Service in 2010 to district hospital status.
Adding that the 60-bed hospital, part of the Euroget hospitals initiative commissioned in 2021, offers a range of outpatient facilities, including dental clinics, general medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, and general surgery.
With state-of-the-art medical equipment and a dedicated team, the hospital continues to provide quality healthcare to the people of Tain and surrounding areas.
As the hospital celebrates its anniversary, Dr. Philip Taah-Amoako, Medical Superintendent and Surgeon who led the Ghanaian team, expressed gratitude to Compassion Ghana for their collaboration in providing the surgeries.
According to him, this year’s operation, which is part of the hospital’s routine initiative to offer free healthcare services to those in need, has achieved impressive results compared to previous ones.
While calling for a partnership from NGOs and surgeons, Dr. Taah-Amoako optimistically believes that these free surgeries will greatly benefit vulnerable individuals who can not afford treatment due to financial constraints.
Despite their efforts, Dr. Taah-Amoako lamented challenges faced by the hospital due to deplorable Berekum-Seikwa Road.
Dr. Taah said poor road causes significant delays, with journey that should take 30 minutes, often taking up to 2 hours to the Sunyani, adding that cases are often transfered to Techiman in Bono East Region, describing it as unacceptable.
Beneficiaries of the operations on Tuesday, April 29, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the staff and Compassion Ghana for their life-changing gestures with a call on government to upgrade the facility to a regional hospital status.
Muhammed Ibrahim, a father of two, shared a touching story of how the hospital’s free services saved his children, who suffered severe burns in a domestic fire incident in Tamale.
He told Kaakyire Kwasi Afari that “but for Tain District Hospital’s free plastic surgeries, I wouldn’t have been able to afford the bills,’ he said, overwhelmed with emotion.
*Source: Kaakyire Kwasi Afari. Ark FM, Sunyani.*
