Ghana is a beautiful country located on the Gulf of Guinea, only a few degrees north of the Equator. The Greenwich Meridian also passes through Ghana, specifically through the industrial city of Ghana-Tema; so it is said that Ghana is closest to the center of the world geographically than any other country in the world. La Cote d'Ivoire is located to the west of Ghana while Burkina Faso and Togo are located to its north and east respectively. The coastline is mostly a low, sandy shore backed by plains and scrub and intersected by several rivers and streams. A tropical rain forest belt, broken by heavily forested hills and many streams and rivers, extends northward from the shore. North of this belt, the land is covered by low bush, park-like savanna, and grassy plains. The climate is tropical. The eastern coastal belt is warm and comparatively dry; the southwest corner, hot and humid; and the north, hot and dry. Lake Volta, the world's largest artificial lake, extends through large portions of eastern Ghana. The capital, Accra, has a population of about 5 million.



THE HERNIA MISSION

Takoradi is a port city twinned with a town called Sekondi situated in the west of Africa, this is the base for the Hernia Mission. The Hernia Treatment Centre is a project initiated by the Hernia Project Team from Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, UK. The leader of the Team is Prof Andrew Kingsnorth. The Project Coordinator is Mr Chris Oppong, a Consultant Surgeon. Most of the patients are fishermen and farmers. By the time you arrive, the patients would have been selected and prepared for surgery. On the average, the size of the hernias is larger than ones encountered regularly in Europe. Most of them are however amenable to repair under local anaesthetic as day cases. The large recurrent and the massive hernias are repaired under general anaesthetic. The Plymouth Team operates in five hospitals and expects to treat about 130 patients in a week; smaller teams use only the Hernia Centre and would expect to treat about 20-30 patients. The Hernia Centre is as yet not well resourced. Teams going to the centre are therefore advised to go with the following kit to operate on patients:-
1. Local anaesthetic
2. Surgical gloves (double-gloves for 3 team members/case)
3. Gowns
4. Surgical drapes – you can use one pack for 2 or 3 cases.
5. Pethidine
6. Antibiotic
7. Meshes. We are pioneering the use of mosquito nets in the repair of hernias. These will be available at the centre from November 2007.


VISA

You will need a visa to travel to Ghana. You may find information on the website of the Ghana Embassy in your country. Teams from the UK can download the visa form from the Ghana High Commission web site: www.ghanahighcommissionuk.com/ In the left hand column click on “Consular section” then “Passports and Visa”. Irrespective of your country of residence you will need the ff contact addresses:-

1. DR. LINDA VANOTOO
6 LINK ROAD
KETAN ROAD ESTATE
SEKONDI, GHANA

2. DR BERNARD BOATENG-DUAH
GHANA PORTS AND HARBOURS AUTHORITY HOSPITAL
NO. 5 BEACH RAOD
TAKORADI, GHANA.

On arrival you will be asked to complete an Immigration Card. Address used for Immigration purposes is Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority Hospital, Takoradi, Ghana. Please pass through Immigration and Customs.


IMMUNISATION

1. Yellow fever is mandatory.
2. Hepatitis B is essential.
3. Hepatitis A is recommended
4. Other recommendations are:- Anti-Typhoid, Anti-Rabies, Measles, mumps rubella if born after 1956
5. Tetanus Diphtheria revaccination every 10years
6. The protection afforded by Cholera vaccines is debatable.
7. PLEASE contact your local health authorities for definitive advice.



MALARIA PROPHYLAXIS

This is absolutely essential. Malaria is eminently preventable. It can, however, be fatal in individuals without natural resistance. You cannot be immunized against malaria. You have to take prophylaxis. You will find very helpful information from the Travel Doctor website:- www.traveldoctor.co.uk/malaria.htm . For the various regimens you must start taking the tablets up to 7 days before you leave.
Avoid mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents. You are advised not to over expose yourself when you go to the forest reserve.
YOU ARE ALSO STRONGLY ADVISED TO TAKE OUT TRAVEL INSURANCE THAT COVERS YOU FOR THIS REGION.


TRAVEL

Your flight will land at Accra Airport. You will be met at the Airport. Once clear of customs go through to the front of the Customs Hall and exit through the glass doors where you will find a mass of people. There will be someone there with your names on a board with SAEMA written on it. Do not accept help from anyone else and keep a very careful watch on your baggage and personal belongings. Takoradi is 3-4 hours from Accra. Transportation will be arranged for you. You may however have to travel on an air-conditioned coach. Depending on the time of arrival you may stay overnight in Accra and travel to Takoradi the following day.

ACCOMMODATION

Traditionally we have used at Planter’s Lodge for accomodation, however recent missions have utilised the Transit Doctor's Lodge, 5km from the hospital which is provided free of charge by the Ghanaian Ministry of Health. The rooms are air conditioned and a maid is hired for the week to cook (breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal) and clean the villa during the Team's stay. There is a modest charge to provide this service and to re-imburse shopping expenses. The overall cost for the accomodation and all other travel/transit expenses is approximately $350. It may be necessary to stop overnight in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. Accommodation in Accra will be arranged for you should this be necessary.

MEDICAL REGISTRATION

All surgeons and nurses in the team will need temporary registration to practice in Ghana. This will be arranged for you. You will however have to supply Chris Oppong with you abridged CV as soon as possible.

DRESS

Suits are not necessary. For formal occasions it is necessary to wear smart trouser, shirt and tie. During work periods it is required you wear the Hernia mission T Shirts and shorts, theatre greens or blues are required when working within theatres themselves.

MOBILE PHONES / INTERNET
It is cheaper to use a Ghana SIM card than “roam” on your UK phone. You may be provided with a local phone. There are internet cafes in Ghana.

EQUIPMENT LIST.

As well as formal and informal clothing, toiletries and mosquito repellents you should bring
Personal garments and shoes for use in Operating Theatre
Good Reading: -(recommended) The Bradt Travel Guide Ghana author Philip Briggs ISBN 1 84162 093 9
Antiseptic talcum powder – it can get hot and sticky
Athletes foot cream
Swimming costume---there is a tempting swimming pool at Planters Lodge
Photos of the family; to discuss with those whom you meet. Photos always promote conversation and folk are very interested in family and the work scene in Europe.
A small hand torch; in case of power outages. Planters Lodge has a standby generator however if mains is lost it takes a few minutes to come on line.
Small kiddies and child’s toys for child patients; Any surplus will be stored for next visit.
Leave plenty of room in your luggage to fit in essential equipment, gowns, gloves ect.

OTHER PERSONALITIES

The visit is co-ordinated by Mr Brian Dixon in Ghana, he works for a Canadian oil company and facilitates many of the arrangements in Sekondi. Dr Bernard Boateng–Duah who is the Chief Medical Officer at GPHA Hospital Takoradi. You will also be expected to attend various functions, both to receive thanks from dignatories but also to show your appreciation for the local hospitality. This includes a Ghana evening in the home of Brian Dixon.