News Release

Ghana Health Service and LDS Charities Partner to Provide  Trauma Training 

The Ghana Health Service and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined to provide emergency trauma training at Tema General Hospital in Tema, Ghana.  The project was funded by LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dr. Samuel Kaba, director of Institutional Care and Dr. Dinah Baah-Odoom, deputy director of Ghana Health Service, collaborated with Dr. Lyle Archibald, technician medical specialist with the Church’s Humanitarian Services Department to plan the training.

The goal of the training was “to push their skills forward just one step,” according to the visiting physicians.

A team of respected trauma physicians from the United States trained medical personnel from the Tema Hospital in trauma procedures. Equipment to support the training was provided by LDS Charities. It included child and adult mannequins, related equipment used to open airways and equipment for intravenous injections and chest tube insertion.

Tema General Hospital Trama Center Department Manager, Ernest Awinimi, said the training was very refreshing. “We have learned a lot that will help us improve upon our work,” he said.

After receiving the training, local emergency personnel will train other medical practitioners.  It is anticipated that the training will result in better outcomes for trauma patients in the future.

The visiting physicians commented that a lack of human and physical resources is hampering local physicians in applying what they know.  Dr. Tom Wood said, “They [the medical personnel] are so intelligent and capable, and we have endorsed that and that has helped their confidence.”

All participants are hopeful that collaboration, supported by LDS Charities, will continue between the United States and Ghanaian medical specialists.

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