with Highlights of my experience Presented By: Addia DeAllie Healthcare in Ghana with Highlights of my experience Presented By: Addia DeAllie

A Welcoming Country

Ghana in Numbers and other Fun Facts -Located in West Africa, Ghana boasts a population of over 28 million -Its name comes from the name given to the kings of the medieval trading empire (4-13th century) that was northwest of present day Ghana -Independence from Britain in 1957 -Once known as the Gold Coast, its economy now relies on export of gold, cocoa, oil, and lumbar among other resources -Official language is English although there are many other languages spoken (ie. Twi) -Bordered by Togo to the east, Cote d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. -President: Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo -Capital: Accra -Deeply religious! Christian, Muslim

Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital -Also known as KATH, Komfo Anoyke is located in Kumasi, which is the regional capital of the Ashanti region -Over 1000 bed capacity -Referrals are seen from the northern regions, Brong Ahafo, Central, Western, Eastern and parts of the Volta Regions. -Governed by a board of six executive members, and four government appointees or non-executive members, and the Dean of the School of Medical Sciences -Recent addition of new mother-baby unit to be opened in the near future

Healthcare in Ghana: Topic of Interest -Efficiency of care in Ghana and what’s being done to combat these issues Improvements: NHIS Foundations that provide alternative funding Barriers to improvement: Personal Finances Resources -As was seen with change from “cash and carry” to the NHIS, can impact morbidity and mortality of patients

Paying for Medical Services -National Health Insurance Legacy of John Kufuor administration, effort to abolish cash and carry system District mutual health insurance -Private commercial health insurance -Private mutual health insurance -Cash and carry; services and medications not covered by NHIS -Alternative funding efforts Fundraising Little Steps Foundation: created to help those families with limited funds to ensure as many patients as possible would receive necessary treatments

Being Resourceful Barriers to improving efficiency of care and also quality improvement Human resources or lack of adequate staff Infrastructure Autonomy Finances Equipment The MRI scanner at KATH occasionally stops working Having to rely on outside resources for imaging, etc.

Clinical Experience -During my time in the PICU I was able to witness the progress of a pediatric patient who swallowed caustic alkaline soda His progress after surgery The change in his countenance and how quickly he seemed to improve when he was taken off monitors and allowed the freedom to move around His happiness when his parents were able to hold him -The attending overseeing his care was an exceptional teacher

Cultural Experience Church dedication while visiting Lake Bosumtwi!

Experiencing Ghana!

Experiencing Ghana!

References Ghana HomePage, Resource for News, Sports, Facts, Opinions, Business and Entertainment, www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/. Fage, John D, et al. “Ghana.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/. Appiah, John Adabie. “PICU Perspective.” 21 Feb. 2018. Appiah-Kubi, Adu. “OB/GYN Perspective.” 21 Feb. 2018.