**GAR Hospital Achieves Ghana’s First Minimall
In a groundbreaking development, the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, in collaboration with renowned surgeon Dr. Diego Gonzalez Rivas, has successfully performed Ghana’s first minimally invasive surgery outside a traditional hospital. This historic surgery was carried out in a state-of-the-art mobile clinic, marking a new era in the delivery of surgical care.
The innovative mobile unit allowed patients, who would otherwise face surgery costs ranging from €15,000 to €20,000, to receive their treatment at no cost.
Dr. Lawrence Ofori Boadu, Director of Clinical Services at the Ghana Health Service, expressed his enthusiasm about this milestone, stating, “We’ve had mobile clinics before, but this one is different. It’s specifically designed for thoracic surgeries, and it represents a significant advancement in the quality of care provided by the Ghana Health Service.”
Dr. Diego Gonzalez Rivas elaborated on the inspiration behind this innovation, noting the challenges in many African countries where access to quality cameras, equipment, and trained personnel is limited. “I decided to create this mobile hospital with all the necessary technology to provide the best care possible to patients in Africa,” he explained. “With our fully equipped camera systems, a skilled team, and advancements in anesthetics, we can deliver top-tier care even in mobile settings.”
One of the first patients to benefit from this initiative was Ama (a pseudonym), who had been suffering from endometriosis and catamenial haemothorax. Recalling her difficult journey before the surgery, Ama shared, “I was experiencing severe abdominal pain, and scans showed fluid accumulation in my chest and abdomen. After the surgery, I finally feel relief and can say I’m okay now.”
Dr. Ralph Armah, Medical Director of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital and the consultant general surgeon who performed the surgery on Ama, explained, “She was suffering from endometriosis with catamenial haemothorax, which means she had ectopic tissues causing bleeding in her abdomen and chest.”
Professor Samuel Kaba, a consultant neurologist, emphasized the long-term benefits of the mobile clinic, saying, “This unit will train general surgeons in this procedure. If it proves successful, it will remain at Ridge Hospital and continue to serve patients in Ghana. It also opens up opportunities for our surgeons to provide care in other regions.”
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Via:Ibrahimnews.com
