US Medical team performs plastic surgery at New Abirem

A four-Member Medical Team from United States of America on Thursday performed plastic surgery and other health treatments for over 60 patients at the New Abirem District Government Hospital in the Birim North District.

The medical team supported by six Ghanaian medical staff at the hospital reviewed 60 patients and operated 20 of them including children with birth deformities, burns, accidents, cleft, hernia and other illnesses.

The 10- day free of charge medical treatment was sponsored by the Newmont Akyem Mining Project, the Ntiamoah Foundation the Ghana Hope Foundation and the Birim North District Assembly.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, the leader of the team, Dr Stephen Gordon, a Plastic Surgeon, said it was part of their voluntary contribution to offer medical treatment to the needy in other parts of the world.

He said through the Ghana Hope Foundation, a quantity of surgical supplies and other operating equipment would be sent to the hospital in December this year for distribution to other health centers in the district to enhance effective health delivery system in the area.

The plastic surgeon said the medical team would come in six months time to continue with their free medical treatment to the people.

The Coordinator of the Ntiamoah Foundation, Mr Godwin Atidiga, said the Foundation had assisted 17 Community Health Planning Services (CHPS) compounds with medical supplies in the district and had also registered 1,344 needy people in 52 communities under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He said with the establishment of Newmont Akyem Mining Project in the district, there would be a population influx where health facilities should be expanded and improved medical supplies to cater for the increasing population.

The medical superintendent in charge of the hospital, Dr Adams Mahani, commended the medical team for the assistance as the local medical team had learnt a lot from them to enhance their performance.