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Africa Partners Medical launched a gastrointestinal endoscopy workshop at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana in 2008 which has since been held yearly. The workshop, which is co-sponsored by the World Gastroenterology Organization, is designed to improve the skills of gastroenterologists and surgeons. Participants hone their diagnostic techniques, and learn to treat problems such as gastrointestinal hemorrhage, polyps, and strictures.
6 to 12 participants from various West African countries have participated each year, returning better equipped to their local communities.
The course faculty includes volunteers from America and Europe. Ghanaian faculty, some of whom attended the first workshop as learners, now play an increasingly important role in teaching. By developing skills, interest, and facilities for gastrointestinal endoscopy, the workshop has contributed to a long-term goal of beginning subspecialty digestive disease training and certification in Ghana.
Dr. Adwoa Adjei from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana successfully performs
an esophageal banding procedure with coaching from Drs. Robert Sedlack, Mayo Clinic,
Rudolph Darko, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and Kofi Nkrumah, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
 | Dr. Robert Sedlack from Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota and Professor Rudolph Darko from Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana demonstrate technique for rubber banding of enlarged varicose veins in the esophagus, a life-threatening consequence of hepatitis-induced cirrhosis. Banding the varices prevents later bleeding. |
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Dr. Damon Bizos from University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa demonstrates colonoscopy technique to workshop participants from Ghana and Nigeria |
Dr. Robert Sedlack from Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota demonstrates endoscopy technique on an animal model in the animal laboratory portion of the workshop |
Group photo of 2008 Endoscopy Workshop participants and faculty |
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