US medics offer free health care to Kumasi residents

Kumasi, Aug 2, GNA - International Healthcare Volunteers (IHCV), a team of medical specialists based in the United States (US), have commenced a nine-day outreach programme in Kumasi during which they would offer free healthcare services to residents.

The group whose members are specialists in international medicine, gynaecology, oncology, anaesthesia, general obstetrics and surgery and gastroenterology, is expected to offer gastrointestinal visualization, endoscopy, general surgery, as well as obstetrics and gynaecology services.

The 14-man team, including two Ghanaian-born doctors, had since Sunday screened over 40 patients for treatment at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Hospital where they are working in collaboration with others at the hospital. Dr James Aikins, leader of the team, told newsmen on Wednesday that it would sustain the outreach programme to boost healthcare delivery in the country.

He stated that his team was not in Ghana to offer only medical and surgical services but it would also be sharing knowledge with Ghanaian doctors and nurses with the view to building their capacity and efficiency in the discharge of their duties.

Dr Aikins called for improved conditions of service of Ghanaian health workers to enable the country to retain them and curb the brain drain in the health sector.

Dr Yaw Bio, Director in-charge of KNUST Health Services, thanked the group for donating medical equipment, including a set of colonoscopies to the hospital.

He said the colonoscopies, which are used for colon and bowel cancer screening would help in the early detection of such cases. The disease shows no symptoms till it has reached an advanced stage. 02 Aug. 07