The Methodist Health Trust, a mission healthcare organization, is set to establish the country's first hernia treatment centre to address the rising public health concern of hernias. The initiative aims to offer easy access to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of hernias, which have become a significant health burden in Ghana. As part of the preparations for the centre, the Methodist Health Trust, a member of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), organized a multi-centre surgery outreach program, providing free hernia repairs to individuals in various communities.
The outreach program, conducted in three health facilities of the trust, treated a total of 200 hernia patients during a five-day exercise. The facilities included the Aburaso Methodist Hospital in the Atwima Kwanwoma district, the Apagya Methodist Hospital in the Afigya-Kwabre South, and the Ankaase Methodist Faith Hospital. Mr. Enoch Osafo, the Director of Methodist Health Trust, mentioned that an additional 400 patients would receive free surgeries in subsequent outreach programs scheduled for February and March this year.
Mr. Joseph Atta Amankwah, the Administrator of the Methodist Faith Hospital at Ankaase and Coordinator for Administration and Management of the Methodist Health Trust, highlighted the program's objective to assist community members suffering from hernias but unable to afford surgeries due to prohibitive costs. The Methodist Church Ghana, known for its holistic ministry approach, uses its health facilities as catalysts to support and transform communities.
Professor John Nkrumah Mills, the Immediate Past President of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, led the outreach program, emphasizing the substantial public health problem posed by hernias, affecting both males and females, including children. Dr. Jerry Adu Amankwaa, Medical Director of the Aburaso Methodist Hospital, noted the prevalence of hernias in the communities and highlighted the program's impact on those unable to afford treatment due to poverty.
The outreach program is considered a significant step towards the establishment of a hernia centre by the Methodist Health Trust. Dr Reginald Kofi Sefah Nkansah, the Medical Director of the Ankaase Methodist Faith Hospital, expressed the hospital's overwhelming response from community members, providing a big relief to those suffering from hernias.
Beneficiaries of the program, such as Mr. Osman Bamuni and Mr. Sabilk Sapark, expressed gratitude to The Methodist Church Ghana and its partners for the intervention, describing it as a Godsend and a kind gesture. The outreach program is seen as a proactive measure to address the challenges associated with hernias, offering free surgeries to those in need.
