The Health Community of West Africa Association in collaboration with Lekma Hospital, has held a transition ceremony for the 14th & 15th China Medical Team at the conference room of Lekma Hospital in Accra.
The event served as a farewell for the outgoing 14th China Medical Team and a welcome ceremony for the incoming 15th China Medical Team. Bringing together top health professionals from Lekma Hospital and the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, including Dr. Davis Emmanuel, Head of Surgery; Miss Elinam Adi Nartey, Chief Nursing Officer; Miss Joyce Cannon, Head of Anaesthesia; Mr. Dennis Ahia, Head of Radiology; and Mr. Saviour Demodzi, Head of Clinical Engineering.
The event began with an introduction of the new team where each member of the 15th China Medical Team mentioned their names and professionals roles. Presenting a work report on behalf of the outgoing team, Captain of the 14th China Medical Team, Dr. Yongguang Yang, stated that the team attended to 8,155 outpatients, admitted 1,205 inpatients, and performed 725 specialized surgeries, all under conditions of limited resources and logistical challenges.
Most significantly, the team accomplished what no Chinese medical mission in Ghana had done before by performing the country’s first laparoscopic surgery, breaking new ground in minimally invasive surgery. They completed 48 laparoscopic surgeries and 110 cataract surgeries, surpassing the performance record of every previous Chinese medical team deployed to Ghana.
Additionally, the team, in partnership with the Health Community of West Africa Association, co-hosted webinars and training sessions in healthcare, including but not limited to the 1st Advanced Training Course in Laparoscopic Surgery, Traditional Chinese Medicine training for natural health professionals, and training for the Association Nationale des Infirmiers et Infirmières in Togo.
Following his presentation, the Principal Official of the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health in Ghana, Lekma Hospital, and Zhujiang Hospital for their continued support in facilitating the medical teams to Ghana. He indicated that initiatives like this enhanced China-Ghana friendship, particularly in the area of healthcare, pledging unwavering support to promote mutual progress in subsequent missions.
Deputy Director General of the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, Mr. Wang Hongbin, also highlighted the achievements of the medical teams to Ghana since their deployment began in 2010. The enumerated list included improvements in maternal care, laparoscopic surgery, cataract surgery, and academic exchange programs through which staff of Lekma Hospital have had the opportunity to train at Guangdong Medical University.
Lekma Hospital presented certificates and gift items to individuals and a plaque to the outgoing 14th China Medical Team. The incoming team also presented a token of friendship as they commence their mission at the hospital. This was received by the deputy to Dr. Folasade Ojo-Benys, the Clinical Supervisor of Lekma Hospital.
The transition ceremony underscored the enduring partnership between China and Ghana in healthcare delivery, marked by the transfer of knowledge, skills and a shared commitment to improving patient outcomes.
Significantly the China-Ghana Medical Training and Academic Exchange Center was also launched during the event to establish a formal framework enabling Ghanaian medical professionals to pursue specialized training and academic exchange programs at Guangdong Medical University in China, building upon over a decade of bilateral health cooperation and creating a sustainable pathway for capacity building and mutual learning between the two nations.
As the 14th team concludes its record-setting mission, the 15th China Medical Team now steps forward to build upon this legacy of excellence, innovation, and friendship. With continued collaboration between the Health Community of West Africa Association, Lekma Hospital and the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, the future of bilateral health cooperation remains strong and poised for even greater achievements.
