Wenchi Methodist Hospital installs urology equipment
The Wenchi Methodist Hospital in the Brong Ahafo Region has acquired and installed a set of urology equipment that allows for endoscopic management of various urological conditions.
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The equipment, which costs 54,845 euros, includes various endoscopic instruments such as light source, camera set/system with LCD monitor and electro-surgical unit.
With the aid of the equipment, conditions such as benign prostatic enlargement/hyperplasia (BPH), urethral structure disease, and bladder cancer can be diagnosed and treated endoscopically.
The endoscopic approach was preferred by most patients as a result of its numerous advantages, including reduced morbidity of the surgery, early recuperation and return of patient to his usual activities or work.
The Methodist Hospital was the only health facility which had the equipment for the treatment of men with prostate problems and women suffering from fistula in the northern sector. The regional hospital in Sunyani was said to have a urologist but had no such equipment.
To achieve its urological excellence, management of the hospital sponsored a medical officer of the hospital, Dr Kofi Boateng Bosomtwi, to the University of Pretoria in South Africa for a five-year fellowship training in urology and had successfully completed the programme and returned to the Wenchi Hospital.
Visiting urologist
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Administrator of the Methodist Hospital at Wenchi, Mr Bernard Clement Botwey, explained that for the past 21 years, the hospital had always hosted a visiting urologist from Northern Ireland.
He said the urologist came for six weeks every year to operate on men with prostate problems in the area, as well as women with fistula ailments.
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He said over the past six years, management decided to put in place a succession plan so that one day, a local medical officer could take over from the Irish urologist.
Dr Bosomtwi explained that during the surgery, the patient could see whatever was being done and also the doctor could communicate with the patient.
Background
The Methodist Hospital was established in 1952 by the chiefs and people of Wenchi under the auspices of the then Irish Superintendent Minister of the Methodist Church, Rev. John Dixon.
It started as a dressing station in a small room at the current location of the Wenchi Police Station.