Korea, Ghana to facilitate laparoscopic surgery in African country

The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Ghana have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen the latter’s ability to conduct laparoscopic surgery.

The MOU, signed by KOFIH President Choo Moo-jin and KATH President Oheneba Danso, focuses on two main medical supports -- providing medical equipment and clinical practice training for the medical staff in the African hospital with the support of Community Chest of Korea.

Oheneba Owusu-Danso (left), president of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), and Jeong Hye-jin, director of Ghana Office of The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), hold up their MOU sign at KATH in northern Ghana. (KOFIH)

KATH educated its personnel on conducting laparoscopic surgery with support from the U.S. and Germany in 2008.

However, the hospital suspended the provision of related medical services after a doctor retired six years ago. Dominique Darkua, a doctor from KATH, requested help through Lee Jong-wook Fellowship, a program to nurture healthcare professionals in developing countries.

The two sides then began to discuss how to strengthen Ghanaian doctors’ ability to conduct laparoscopic surgery.

“Laparoscopic surgery is much safer than open surgery with fewer side effects and aftereffects, which will be of great help to patients’ recovery,” KATH President Danso said while expressing his appreciation to KOFIH.

The two institutions also plan to discover various cooperative approaches based on interaction and sustainability.