Ghana Medical Help Donates Essential Medical Equipment to Sandema Hospital.

Ghana Medical Help, a Canada-based nonprofit organization with strong Ghanaian roots, has donated vital medical equipment to the Sandema Hospital in the Builsa North Municipality. The donation is part of the organization’s ongoing effort to strengthen healthcare delivery across the Upper East and Upper West Regions.

Leading the donation was Dr. Dominic Akaateba, Physician Specialist at the Wa Regional Hospital and Country Director of Ghana Medical Help. In his remarks, Dr. Akaateba recounted how the organization began its journey at Sandema Hospital in 2009, when he came on clinical attachment as a medical student. Witnessing the lack of basic medical tools at the time inspired the formation of Ghana Medical Help, which was officially incorporated in 2010.

“For the past 15 years, we’ve moved from donating equipment to supporting clinical engineers and training midwives under our Maternity Service Agenda. We now serve all district hospitals in the Upper East and Upper West Regions,” he stated.

The latest donation includes one obstetric delivery manikin with two neonates, 10 Kiwi vacuum delivery systems, three fetal Doppler machines, a multipurpose vital signs monitor, and 5,000 surgical face masks. The equipment, valued at several thousands of Ghana cedis, is aimed at enhancing maternal and child health services and emergency care at the facility.

Receiving the items on behalf of the hospital, Dr. Paul Edem, Clinical Coordinator at Sandema Hospital, expressed deep gratitude for the gesture. “This donation is quite significant. These devices, especially the Kiwi systems and the manikin, will go a long way to support our work in obstetrics. We assure you that they will be well-maintained and put to full use for the benefit of our patients,” he said.

Dr. Akaateba further urged healthcare workers and community members to support local facilities. “If we all contribute in our small ways, we’ll improve healthcare delivery for our people. Gone are the days when we waited for government to do everything,” he added.

Similar donations would also be made to the St. Lucas Hospital in Wiaga and the Fumbisi Hospital in Builsa South.

Abakisi Derrick-NoiyengRadio

Builsa North Records Two Suspected Cases of Monkeypox

The Builsa North Municipal Health Directorate has recorded two suspected cases of monkeypox, now referred to as mpox, in the Chuchuliga subdistrict. This was disclosed by the Municipal Disease Control Officer, Mr. Thomas Akolaaga, during the second quarter review meeting of the Municipal Risk Communication Committee, held at the Health Directorate’s conference hall on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

Mr. Akolaaga stated that both suspected mpox cases involve an adult and a child from the same subdistrict. He further revealed that, within the review period, the municipality also recorded two suspected cases of meningitis, one suspected measles case, one suspected case of yellow fever, two suspected cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), and one fatal case of rabies. No cases of anthrax, cholera, or COVID-19 were reported.

On the national front, Mr. Akolaaga mentioned that as of June 7, 2025, Ghana had recorded 531 suspected mpox cases, out of which 71 were confirmed.

He used the opportunity to educate the public on mpox, noting that it is a viral zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans, and also from person to person through direct contact with body fluids, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials. Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash that often starts on the face before spreading to other parts of the body.

Mr. Akolaaga advised residents to report suspected cases early, avoid contact with persons showing symptoms, and maintain good personal hygiene.

He also cautioned the public to be on high alert for cholera and other faeco-oral diseases, especially as the rainy season begins. He explained that cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. Symptoms include profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration, which can lead to death if untreated. He encouraged the public to drink clean water, wash hands regularly with soap, and practice proper food hygiene to prevent outbreaks.

Mr. Akolaaga urged all stakeholders to intensify community education and remain vigilant to protect the municipality from possible disease outbreaks.

Abakisi Derrick-NoiyengRadio 

Team of Hope Ends Mid-year Surgical Mission in Builsa, Appeals for Community Support.

Team of Hope, a non-profit organization operating in the Upper East Region, has successfully concluded its mid-year surgical outreach in the Builsa Traditional Area.

The three-day exercise, which took place from June 2 to June 4, 2025, saw 100 surgical cases handled at the Sandema Hospital and the Fumbisi Hospital. Conditions treated included hernia, hydroceles, hemorrhoids, and goitre, among others.

Speaking in a live interview, the CEO of Team of Hope, Dr. Benjamin Akinkang, described the outreach as a success and called for increased community support to sustain and expand future missions.

The organization conducts two major surgical outreaches annually—in June and November—as part of its commitment to improving access to essential healthcare in underserved communities.

Over the years, Team of Hope has carried out successful missions at the Sandema Hospital, Fumbisi Hospital, and Paga Hospital, all in the Upper East Region.

Dr. Akinkang emphasized the importance of local collaboration, urging traditional authorities, individuals, and development partners to support the initiative through funding, logistics, and mobilization to reach more people in need.

He reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to providing quality surgical care and called on all stakeholders to help make future outreaches even more impactful.

Abakisi Derrick-NoiyengRadio