Weta: The Ketu North Municipal Hospital (KNMH) in collaboration with the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) has launched a five-day free medical and surgical outreach aimed at delivering specialized healthcare services to the public. The initiative, which runs from February 01 to February 06, targets patients from the Ketu North Municipality, other parts of the Volta Region, and across Ghana, focusing on providing affordable surgical care to underserved populations.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Sefakor Juliet Kpormegbe, the Medical Superintendent of KNMH, stated that this is the third surgical outreach organized by the hospital since its inception in March 2022. As a relatively new facility with limited visibility, the hospital views these outreaches as a means to introduce its services to the public while addressing healthcare needs for those unable to afford costly surgeries. Dr. Kpormegbe emphasized that the National Health Insurance Scheme has enabled many patients to access surgeries at minimal or no cost.
Dr. Kpormegbe highlighted that the outreach is a step toward achieving universal health coverage by bringing specialized care closer to people in underserved communities. Conditions being treated include goitres, fibroids, various types of hernias, lipomas, lumps, bumps, and selected dental cases. Patients who have lived with conditions such as large fibroids for over 20 years are finding relief through this initiative.
The hospital aims to serve more than 100 patients during the outreach, with approximately 50 successful surgeries already completed by the third day. Dr. Kpormegbe appealed to stakeholders and corporate bodies for support, describing the hospital as under-resourced and emphasizing the need for continuous backing beyond the outreach period.
Prof. Wisdom Klutse Azanu, a Consultant Urogynaecologist and member of WACS, remarked that the outreach is part of the College's pre-conference activities before its Annual General Meeting. Specialists from Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, and the United Kingdom are participating in the exercise, providing advanced surgical care. Prof. Azanu praised the hospital's facilities and management, expressing confidence in the collaboration's success.
Dr. Philemon Kumassah, a Colorectal Surgeon and WACS member, noted the fulfillment of bringing specialized surgical services to those who otherwise could not afford them. He also highlighted the challenge of funding and appealed for support to ensure sustainability of future outreaches.
Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the organizers and medical team. A patient from Kpedze in the Ho West District, suffering from a thyroid condition, was successfully treated and expressed relief. Another beneficiary from Madina, treated for goitre, appreciated the timely intervention. A hernia patient from Afife shared his joy and newfound freedom following his surgery.
The outreach underscores efforts to enhance access to quality healthcare and strengthen both primary and specialist health services at the district level.