Operation Hernia is a surgical programme intended to treat and teach inguinal hernia surgery in Africa and other low-income countries. It was initiated in 2005 in Takoradi, Western Ghana. Surgeon Volunteers are drawn mainly from members of the European Hernia Society, by Andrew Kingsnorth, President of the European Hernia Society who also recruits volunteers, initiates and organises the missions. Mr Chris Oppong is the Project Coordinator for Ghana and Dr Oluyombo Awojobi is the Project Coordinator for Nigeria. Dr Charles Filipi is the representative for the American Hernia Society. Operation Hernia is an independent UK charity and non-profit organisation, which has links with the American College of Surgeons Operation GivingBack organisation.



Inguinal hernia is a public health problem in Africa. Although inguinal hernia develops at all ages (mainly in men)and in all parts of the world with the same frequency, in Africa they are not treated due to lack of hospitals and surgeons. In the Bole District of Northern Ghana, there are ten times more patients with hernia compared to an equivalent population in Europe. The healthcare workforce in Africa and other low-income countries is severely depleted due to migration of its workers to better paid and better equipped facilities in high-income countries. As a result numerous deaths and cases of permanent disability occur because inguinal hernias requiring elective or urgent surgery are not treated.

In rural Africa, it has been estimated that less than 1 in 5 inguinal hernias requiring surgery actually receive an operation. Few patients with neglected hernias that strangulate may not even reach a hospital, and die needlessly. In rural areas previously fit young people die because simple surgical services are unaffordable.

In rural areas of Africa basic surgical services are not available and there is no possibility that Governments will be able to provide such facilities in the near future. Partnerships are required between charities such as Operation Hernia and NGOs in Africa in order to provide surgical care delivered by Teams of Volunteers. Operation Hernia has supported surgical services in Takoradi and Carpenter with over 15 humanitarian missions and treated over 1000 patients that otherwise would not have received a potentially life-saving operation.

The Regional hospital in Takoradi covers a population of 1.5 million and employs only three surgeons and one anaesthetist. In the District hospitals only basic surgical care can be administered.



In Carpenter, medical care is administered by Medical Assistants and surgical support is provided by the District Hospital at Wenchi, a distance of 70 kilometres.