The Tamale Urology and Modern Surgical Centre in Nanton Zuo has inaugurated a dedicated centre for women and children in a move towards bolstering healthcare accessibility and quality. This development marks a crucial milestone for the healthcare facility, aiming to address the unique medical needs of women and children in the region.

In 2021, JoyNews' Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen shed light on the dire situation residents in Nanton Zuo and neighboring communities faced, as they were compelled to drink from a dam, resulting in severe health conditions.

Read more: https://www.myjoyonline.com/water-is-life-but-for-residents-of-nantong-zuo-their-water-is-death/

Dr Akis Afoko, a consultant urologist of the centre highlighted the lack of control over pollutants entering the water body, including pesticides and weedicides from upstream spraying, contributing to water contamination.

Dr Afoko expressed concern about the prevalence of bladder and kidney cancers in the community, particularly noting the alarming young age at which individuals were being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Typically, these cancers manifest in individuals aged 60 to 70, but in the community, people as young as 20 are reaching terminal stages, making surgery ineffective.

Additionally, the community faces a high incidence of kidney stones, affecting individuals of all ages, including a case of a 7-month-old child with kidney stones.

Responding to this pressing issue, the newly commissioned centre for women and children is poised to provide specialized medical services tailored to the area and surrounding communities’ requirements of female and pediatric patients.

The expanded facility aims to offer a range of specialized medical services, including urological and surgical interventions. Dr Afoko emphasises the commitment to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality for all demographics. From treating common ailments like malaria to performing complex operations, including laparoscopic surgery, the centre is equipped to cater to diverse healthcare needs.

“Treatment from simple malaria to the carrying out of complex operation includes laparoscopic surgery – so we are doing basic and complex operations as well,” he said.

Laparoscopic Surgery:

A notable feature of the centre is its capability to conduct laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure allowing surgeons to access the abdomen without large incisions. Dr Afoko highlights that this advanced surgical technique is not commonly practiced elsewhere in Ghana. Laparoscopy is commonly used in gynecology, gastroenterology, and urology to diagnose and treat various conditions affecting the reproductive, digestive, and urinary systems.

Laparoscopy is performed under general anesthesia to ensure the patient feels no pain during the procedure. The surgeon begins by making one or more small incisions in the abdomen. These incisions serve as entry points for the laparoscope, small surgical instruments, and a tube designed to pump gas into the abdomen. The introduction of gas facilitates improved visibility for the surgeon during the examination and surgical procedures.

Following the completion of the laparoscopy, the gas is released from the abdomen, and the incisions are closed using stitches. A dressing is applied to aid in the healing process. In many cases, patients can return home on the same day, although there may be instances where an overnight hospital stay is recommended for observation and postoperative care.

Patient Care and Community Impact:

Dr Afoko stresses the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, including staying hydrated, eating well, and being physically active. The centre aims to prioritize patient care, with some cases requiring a minimum of 24 hours for conditions to be attended to before discharge.

Managed by the non-profit organization Le Mete Ghana, the Tamale Urology and Modern Surgical Centre has been a vital healthcare hub in the rural north of Ghana.

The establishment of the specialized Centre for Women and Children reflects a broader initiative to improve healthcare infrastructure and services in the region.

The Northern Regional Minister, Shani Alhassan Shaibu and the Paramount Chief of the Nantong Traditional Area, Naa Bawa Mahama, both commended the initiative, emphasising the need for additional social amenities and a focus on primary education to address future health challenges.

Gabriele Palermo, Deputy Italian Ambassador to Ghana says, the inauguration represents a significant leap towards providing comprehensive and specialized healthcare services to the women and children of Nanton Zuo, underscoring the commitment to community health and well-being.