Ghana

Welcome to our blog documenting our adventure as Rad-Aid volunteers in Ghana!

I’m John and joining me on this incredible assignment is Ray. Together, we’re thrilled to share our experiences as we assist hospitals in Accra, Ghana with their diagnostic ultrasound services. As we go, we’ll be sharing all our firsthand experiences, insights, and the profound impact of this amazing opportunity. Plus, we’ll be sharing plenty of photos along the way so you can see the adventure firsthand. Be sure to come along for the ride!

: Ray & John

: Toronto and Accra 8761 km

: 9 hour Flight from NY

: Street vendor

: Road vendors

: Cargo Motorcycle

: Embassy Gardens Hotel

: Grilled Tilapia & fried Plantains

: Street merchant selling biscuits

37 Military Hospital

For our initial week, we’re stationed at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra. Positioned between the Kotoka International Airport and central Accra, it stands as the largest military hospital in Ghana. Currently, the hospital boasts three ultrasound rooms where five sonographers, 20 residents, and five radiologists work diligently. The ultrasound unit operates at full capacity, handling a wide array of general ultrasound examinations. There are plans underway to introduce breast biopsy services to further enhance the department’s offerings.

: Hospital Entrance

: Statue and ATMs

: DI Department

: Urgent Care

: Art Work on Hospital Ground

: Dr. Amedi, Ray, Dr. Andam & John

: DI Patient Waiting Room

: fluoro Unit

: Walkway to NICU

Ghanaian Cuisine

We’ve enjoyed many fantastic meals, but one standout experience was at Rehoboth Kitchen which is adjacent to the Officers Mess Hall. The restaurant is managed by Harriet, who does most of the cooking. Her restaurant also has an outdoor grill that serves up a variety of tasty BBQ skewers of chicken, lamb, and liver. Many of our meals were accompanied by pepper sauce. Shito sauce is one of our favourites; it’s a black sauce made with dried fish and prawns, onions, garlic, chili, and spices. It tasted great over meats and fish.

: Pork and Jollof Rice

: Harriet

: BBQ Skewers

: Outdoor Grill

: Grilled Talipia

: Tripe Soup

Fufu stands as a cornerstone of Ghanaian cuisine, a side dish steeped in tradition and craftsmanship. Its preparation is a labor of love. Harriet’s helper is pounding cassava and unripe plantains with a large wooden pole, all while Harriet is adding water and kneading the fufu to achieve the desired consistency.

Our Week at 37 Military Hospital

It was incredibly rewarding. We shared our expertise and tips with the team, and the reception was warm. Everyone was eager to learn and improve their scanning skills, making the experience even better.

The level of respect and friendliness at the hospital was impressive. It created a positive atmosphere where we could all learn from each other. The team quickly implemented our instructions, showing their commitment to enhancing their skills and providing the best care possible.

To top it off, we received traditional northern smocks as a token of appreciation on our last day. It was a touching gesture that highlighted the camaraderie we had developed throughout the week.

Reflecting on our time there, we feel grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a dedicated team. It was a week filled with learning, growth, and meaningful connections.

: Vascular Demo

: Ray assisting Dr. Mozu on an 18 wk scan

: Abdo Demo

: Resident practicing Bx technique

: Dr. Sheikh, John, Ray & 37 Military Team

: Dr. Amedi presenting Ray with a Northern Smock

Jamestown

Jamestown, one of Accra’s oldest districts, formed around the 17th-century British James Fort on the Gulf of Guinea coast. The district which was once mostly populated by the Ga people, continued to be a fishing village today. However, the district’s history is also tied to the grim legacy of the slave trade.

As you walk through the narrow streets and twisting alleys of Jamestown, you’ll come face to face with the tough truths of extreme poverty. Old colonial buildings stand as reminders of years of neglect, their once-impressive fronts now looking worn and tired. Houses made of mud-clay, wooden boards and metal sheets are clustered together, serving as makeshift homes for the people who live here.

: Will Power Boxing Gym

: Slave Tunnel

: Tunnel Stairs

: Outdoor Cooking

: Streets of Jamestown

: View from James Fort

: Residential Alley

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

Located in Accra’s Ablekuma South District, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is a public teaching hospital. Constructed in 1923, this is the sole public tertiary hospital located in Ghana’s southern region. Affiliated with the University of Ghana’s medical school, it has a thriving ultrasound department with more than forty residents working there, performing a wide range of ultrasound exams using seven ultrasound systems, including general ultrasound, interventional, and biopsies.

Like our experiences at 37 Military Hospital, our involvement at Korle Bu has been rewarding because it has allowed us to see and participate in cases involving complex pathology. It was quite inspiring to see how readily the students embraced our suggestions for refining their scanning techniques. Their immediate implementation of these changes not only demonstrated their commitment to improvement but also resulted in them recognizing more pathology. This positive outcome highlights the effectiveness of incorporating new skills into their practice and underscores their dedication to advancing their knowledge in diagnostic ultrasound.

As our time at both hospitals comes to an end, we consider the gracious hospitality shown by the staff and residents, which created a conducive environment for learning and collaboration.