CardioStart announces mission to Kumasi, Ghana, April 14 – 28, 2013
Applicants are welcome to apply for CardioStart’s surgical mission to Ghana by completing the Volunteer Interest Form page. Team selections will be made based on team needs and professional experience. CardioStart balances each team with returning volunteers and those joining a mission for the first time.
The Republic of Ghana is in west Africa. Kumasi lays west of the capital Accra. This second major historic city was once the capital of the Ashanti Empire. It continues to serve as the cultural center of the Ashanti people. Although the city was destroyed almost a century ago, modern Kumasi contains a good cultural center and museum as well as the modern palace of the Asantehene.
Ghana has been widely viewed as one of Africa’s most stable democracies, becoming a republic in July 1960. It was the first African nation to achieve independence from its colonial heritage under the United Kingdom in 1957. The name Ghana was chosen for the new nation to reflect the ancient Empire of Ghana that once extended throughout much of western Africa, (in the Ashanit language, it is spelled Gaana). It compares in size to the state of Oregon in the United 
States.
Much of the historical interest in Ghana is based upon its legacy as the center of the gold, ivory, and slave trade during the 17th and 18th centuries. In modern times, Ghana possesses one of the best game reserves in west Africa, a multitude of good beaches and is well known for its people’s hospitality.
Cardiac Surgery in Ghana
The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi serves a regionally deprived population. It has received assistance from major centers including the Mayo Clinic, led by Dr. Lewis Roberts, and the Boston Children’s Hospital (who have completed four missions in the old hospital, under the direction of Dr. Fynn-Thompson).
Dr. Phillip Wendschuh, a cardiologist from Cleveland, Ohio, and CardioStart board member, provided an intensive ICU and general specialist training conference. In October this year, Dr. Fynn-Thompson and Boston Children’s Hospital colleagues carried out pediatric cardiac surgery in the new hospital.
CardioStart’s role will be to further develop a comprehensive adult cardiac surgery program, and do pediatric heart surgery not completed in October. This will be part of a regular visiting program alternating between pediatric and adult cardiac surgery, collaborating with the Boston Children’s team by going at different times, to complement their work. CardioStart has recently sent a container of medical supplies to Ghana in support of its forthcoming mission.
Our Mission: Adult and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
The team will inspect, unload and distribute the contents of the container previously shipped to the hospital. The team will then quickly prepare the OR and ICU to develop the operation program to be carried out in the new center. CardioStart will work with the local team to further establish cardiac surgery at the hospital and help set the necessary benchmarks for the hospital to become a regional tertiary referral center. As part of this mission, the team will be assisting development with more complex procedures; help evolve the rhythm of regular operating; monitor progress and continue providing ongoing physician and nurse cardiology/surgical medical education.
Our next series of cases will follow further preparation of the entire program with nursing, biomedical, perfusion, ICU equipment preparation and teaching. The cases will be chosen according to the discretion of the cardiologists and heart surgeons, in collaboration with the Ghana team and will likely be adult congenital presentations or valvular pathology. Some pediatric cases may also be carried out. There is currently no catheter suite but pacemaker implantations assistance will be offered during this time period.
Cardiac surgery team requirements:
- 1 Pediatric/ and 1-2 adult anesthesiologists
- 1 Intensivist
- 1 Laboratory medicine physician/hematologist
- 1-2 Adult cardiac surgeons
- 1 adult Cardiologist / & 1 pediatric
- 1 Case manager (ACNP or PA)
- 2 Perfusionists (One adult and one pediatric)
- 6 Cardiovascular ICU nurses (2 with pediatric experience)
- 1 Biomedical engineer
- 1 Respiratory therapist
- 1 Echo Tech
- 1 Education Coordinator
- 2 OR Nurses/Techs (1 circulating, 1 scrub)
- 1 Database research assistants
Mission Travel Details
Airfare:
Airfare costs will be self-funded by each volunteer. Popular flight corridors are through Frankfurt, Amsterdam or London, direct to Accra. Volunteers will stay the night in Accra and then join a bus provided by KATH for the 5- hour drive to Kumasi. DO NOT PURCHASE A TICKET UNTIL YOU ARE CONFIRMED ON THE TEAM.
Lodging:
This will be graciously provided for by our hosts. Volunteers should expect that they may be asked to agree to same-sex room sharing in order to help reduce the costs incurred by our hosts. CardioStart will assure minimum standards to ensure volunteer safety and comfort, but we will try to be sensitive to the financial burden borne by the local officials.
Meals:
During the day, meals will be available and provided for by the hospital. Evening meals/snacks, etc. is available in the hotel or local restaurants in Kumasi, at volunteer’s own expense.
Travel/touring:
Safari, coastal trips and other adventures are worth considering. CardioStart mission leaders cannot directly help you make internal tourist travel arrangements but you can usually obtain cheap travel packages during the week you arrive. Any tours must be made before or after the mission. This time is considered a personal vacation and is not part of the mission; therefore, CardioStart assumes no responsibility.
Medical issues:
All volunteer activity will be carried out with universal precautionary measures. You should have a routine check-up before travel of your HIV and Hepatitis a/b/c status. Vaccinations must include a current Yellow Fever, and tetanus protection (within 10 years). Volunteers will be advised to take malaria prophylaxis just before the mission and those with serious medical conditions should obtain consultation and approval from their doctor prior to the mission. You will also be required to either purchase travel medical insurance or proof of medical coverage out of your home country. (Full details will be sent to those volunteers joining this mission).
Applying for CardioStart’s Mission to Ghana:
To apply, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form and upload your CV/resume. All applicants will be reviewed by the Mission Director, Dr. Uday Dandekar. Team selections will be made by positions needed and relevant experience. Each team is comprised of a mix of returning volunteers and “first-timers.”
If you are accepted on the team, you will receive additional correspondence from CardioStart to proceed in submitting necessary paperwork and documentation.
Leave A Comment