Volunteers are advised to browse the Operation GivingBack website by clicking on the logo below, and entering at the page "Volunteer Toolkit". Here you will find information regarding travel, visa, immunisation etc.for the countries in which Operation Hernia is active.In addition more specific information is provided on this page and in "Volunteer Reports" for each location where a Hernia Treatment Centre exists.  

 

 

OPERATION HERNIA IN TAKORADI, WESTERN GHANA

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: http://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 ROAD

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:-

http://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

Team members use 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 delightful group of local ladies are resident who cook (breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal) and clean the villa during the Team's stay. In common with other residential areas in Takoradi power supply failures do occur and water pressure can be low. The villa has roof water storage tanks which ensure that showers and other facilities on the ground floor are always supplied. Many teams have now used this facility and the mission reports speak for themselves with regard to the conviviality of the arrangement. There is a modest charge to provide this service and to re-imburse shopping expenses. The overall cost for the accommodation and other travel/transit expenses is approximately US$45 per day however in the light of continued inflation in Ghana this is being kept under continued review. Prior to a Mission, the amount will be clarified with its members and the associated fund transfer is made into the OperationHernia Ghanaian Bank account. For a few Missions, due to the scheduled late evening arrival of their flight a stop has been made in Accra the capital city of Ghana. Accommodation in Accra will be arranged for you should this be necessary and at additional cost.

 

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 Dr Bernard Boateng-Duah who is the Chief Medical Officer at GPHA Hospital Takoradi. The catering and social side is coordinated by Kate Blay Mensah, Kate formerly worked for Care International and will be resident with you in the Doctors Transit Accommodation. She coordinates a team of local young ladies who will be pleased to show you around local markets, villages and give you an insight into Ghanaian culture. They will also attend to such things as changing money and for the ladies arranging for a tailoress to visit to fabricate local or European dresses should these be desired. Eddie Prah, a Past President of the Sekondi-Takoradi Rotary Club and a stalwart supporter of our initiative looks after the financial matters associated with the accommodation in Takoradi.

 

OPERATION HERNIA IN ERUWA, OYO STATE

Volunteers work in the rural hospital initiated by Dr Oluyombo ("Yombo") Awojobi in 1987, which provides comprehensive healthcare for the town of Eruwa and its surrounding villages. Accomodation is in a modest hotel 2km from the Clinic and meals are taken in the Awojobi's house, at a total cost of £20 per day. Transport is provided to and from the clinic, where an operating theatre has been up-graded by Operation Hernia with air conditioners, a new generator, diathermy and surgical instruments.  Patients are charged a minimum fee (£13), which covers all the costs excluding prosthetic mesh and sutures brought to the Clinic by Operation Hernia team members.

The Team is met at the airport and escorted to an overnight hotel in Lagos. The following day travel to Eruwa is by car provided by Dr Awojobi (and a similar arrangement is made for the return journey).  

VISA, IMMUNISATION, MALARIA PROPHYLAXIS

As for Gahna (see above)