Accra, Sept. 29, GNA - A 70,000-Euro Laparoscopic Surgery Unit to reduce the pain patients endure when undergoing abdominal surgery was on Wednesday inaugurated at the Korle-Bu Hospital.

The Unit, the first of its kind at any public hospital, would relieve patients of the conventional operation, which is characterised by deep cuts, excessive bleeding and long periods of admission, Dr Joe-Nat Clegg-Lamptey, a Consultant Surgeon, said at the launch. Dr Clegg-Lamptey said similar facilities would be established at the other surgical Units to reduce the suffering of patients.

He said the Unit would be used to upgrade surgeons in other Units and also serve as training ground for post-graduate medical practitioners.

Dr Clegg-Lamptey said some patients travel abroad to undergo laparoscopic surgery and expressed the hope that the establishment of the Unit would save the situation.

Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Chief Executive, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, said the hospital, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is working towards the improvement of technology in health care delivery.

Prof. Samuel Ofosu-Ammah, Board Chairman of the Hospital, who inaugurated the Unit, lauded the administrators of the hospital for the Unit and said patients who would use the facility would experience little or no scar on their abdomen.

He said the establishment of the Unit is timely considering the fear associated with the scissors and knife surgery and HIV/AIDS.