May 2025: Austrian Anesthesia Team Returns to Ghana to Advance Sustainable Medical Training
Arrival, Reflection & Role Definition in Techiman
Upon arrival in Techiman, the Austrian anaesthesia team received a warm welcome and was immediately integrated into clinical routines. Known faces and long-standing partnerships laid the ground for trustful cooperation. In parallel, the team entered a phase of internal clarification: What is our exact contribution? How can our work be both impactful and sustainable?
This reflection was prompted by the high expectations from local staff and the visible medical need. The team revisited its goals in light of previous missions and current challenges. The outcome was a clarified role: bridging clinical support and system strengthening. This set the tone for a focused start and defined the direction for the days to follow.
Introducing Regional Anaesthesia & Evaluating Clinical Practice
One key achievement of this mission was the practical introduction of regional anaesthesia techniques. These methods were demonstrated and taught hands-on, with a strong focus on ultrasound-guided nerve blocks. Particular attention was given to hygiene protocols and correct use of materials under resource-limited conditions.
The team also conducted a thorough evaluation of the operating theatre setup. Gaps in workflow, hygiene routines, and documentation were identified and discussed with local staff. Recommendations were tailored to local realities and aimed at feasible improvements. This dual approach—education and system review—proved to be an effective model for future cooperation.
Facing Healthcare Realities in Ghana
This phase of the mission confronts the harsh realities of Ghana’s healthcare system. The team moves beyond practical support to ask: What is our mission? What structures exist? Where can we create sustainable impact?
The healthcare situation is deeply concerning: many patients live in poverty without access to essential treatment. Severe infections, untreated fractures, and premature births often go unaddressed due to missing equipment or medication. Pain is endured silently — even by children.
Discussions with local staff reveal that basic insurance covers little. Families must finance critical care themselves — often an impossible burden.
True support, the team learns, requires more than expertise. It demands understanding systemic barriers and working within real limits.
March 2025: Kiel UKSH Team Supports Gynecological Training in Ghana
Ten Days of Impact: UKSH Supports Gynecology and Obstetrics in Ghana
In March 2025, a dedicated team from UKSH Kiel traveled to Techiman, Ghana, for a ten-day exchange at the Holy Family Hospital.
This article highlights their joint efforts to advance training in minimally invasive surgery and improve gynecological and obstetric care in the region.
Through surgical collaboration, hands-on workshops, and shared planning sessions, the initiative marked an important step toward sustainable medical development.
Click the article to discover how international cooperation can support lasting improvements in women’s health.
February 2025: Ultrasound Training at Holy Family Hospital, Techiman
Arrival & Warm Welcome in Techiman
After a long journey with delays and an overnight stop in Amsterdam, our team arrived safely in Accra and continued on to Techiman. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the local hospital team and introduced to the leadership, including Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum and Dr. Friko. The friendly reception set the tone for the days ahead and reflected the strong local commitment to professional exchange and collaboration.
Training Sessions & Daily Lectures
Throughout the course, participants attended focused ultrasound lectures every morning, followed by small-group practical sessions in the afternoon. The training covered obstetric basics, gynecological diagnostics, and breast ultrasound, with hands-on experience using real patient cases.
Simulation models were used to practice techniques before applying them in clinical settings. The high level of attention and motivation among doctors, midwives, and nurses contributed significantly to the success of the training.
Equipment Support & Innovation
During the visit, a set of essential gynecological instruments was handed over to the hospital team. The donation included biopsy forceps, specula, episiotomy scissors, uterine sound probes, and a laparoscopic grasper. The instruments were formally presented via Dr. Friko and will support day-to-day diagnostic and surgical work.
A second focus was the introduction of a mobile ultrasound device, donated by a supporter in Hamburg. Dr. Kingsley received initial training on the system and began exploring its features during the course. This compact solution is especially valuable in settings with limited access to larger machines.
Clinical Collaboration & Final Ceremony
As part of the program, Dr. Birgitta Bauer assisted in a gynecological surgery together with the local team. The procedure involved the treatment of a blockage in the vaginal area and was directly connected to the diagnostic work done during the ultrasound training. This practical collaboration offered a valuable opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge shared in the course.
Later that day, power outages disrupted the planned ultrasound sessions. Despite these technical challenges, the commitment of the team remained strong.
At the end of the training, participants came together for a final quiz, shared their feedback, and received their certificates. The atmosphere was warm and appreciative – a fitting close to two weeks of engaged and focused learning.