The partnership between the Klinikum rechts der Isar (MRI TUM) and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana, endeavours to improve surgical care in the area served by KATH.
Problem: There are many shortfalls in the care available to emergency patients in Ghana. There are, for instance, cases of post-operative infections. The partner hospital has an emergency unit, but it is not fully operational because it is chronically under-funded and equipment is not properly maintained.
Main activities: Surgeons at KATH are undertaking on-site visits at the German partner hospital in order to enhance their skills. As well as being involved in practical everyday life in the hospital, colleagues from Ghana attend courses, seminars and undertake further training online at MRI TUM. Other professionals are trained both in Germany and in Ghana and are then to be assigned as multipliers. German and Ghanaian colleagues exchange experiences of everyday hospital life on an ongoing basis through video and telephone conferences.
Short-term results: Colleagues at KATH are to become familiar with new surgical techniques and be able to put them into practice.
Long-term results: The exchange of experiences and the close network of KATH and MRI surgeons result in progress in the surgical care available in northern Ghana and neighbouring countries.