The Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) has set up a new unit called the Department of Minimal Access Therapy and Operative Endoscope for simple operations. The unit, which begun in September, undertakes an extended form of general surgeon and simple operations with the use of a technology known as Olympus Video Endoscopic System (OVES). Dr Stephen Tabiri, Head of the Unit, told the GNA in an interview that aside Korle Bu and Komfo Anokye Teaching hospitals; TTH was the third state health institution to establish such a unit. Explaining the nature of OVES and how it operates, he said the system was used for the visual examination of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and the lower bowel which includes colon as well as rectum. These examinations include upper endoscopy, colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. Dr Tabiri said the process involves the use of a flexible tube, a component of the machine, which transmits the image inside the intestinal tract to a TV monitor using computer and fiber optic technology. He said the system has a flexible tube which could be directed and moved around the many bends in the gastrointestinal tract. It also has a tiny, optically sensitive computer chip with a camera at the end of the tube where electronic signals are transmitted through the scope to a computer which then displays the image on a large video screen. The system has an open channel in the scope which allows other instruments to be passed through it in order to take tissue samples, remove polyps and perform other exams. The video imaging system is networked for computer storage, allows full-colour hard print of each procedure and long-term storage of all images of procedures. Dr Tabiri said the center, which serves patients in the Brong-Ahafo and the three northern regions, had handled 68 cases successfully. This involved the removal of foreign body, treatment of obstruction where food substance could not pass through the stomach into the intestine and diagnosed upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Dr Tabiri said previously patients who had medical challenges relating to endoscope were referred to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi where they waited for between five to six months before being attended to. Source: GNA