IHV Ghana Experience

Global Health: The 10 year Ghana Experience

James Aikins, MD FACS, FACOG Associate Professor Cooper Medical School of Rowan Univ.

Medical Director /Founder International Healthcare Volunteers Inc

AFRICA

International Healthcare Volunteers, Inc.  Established

in 2001

501c non-profit organization  To provide medical services to women and their families in underserved areas  To facilitate educational opportunities to healthcare providers in underserved areas 

Goals of the Organization 

 

To provide medical and surgical services to underserved regions of Africa ,Caribbean South America and Asia Institute ongoing medical education seminars for healthcare professionals Provide support for Undergraduate and graduate physician training in underserved areas.

IHCV Medical Mission Team 2002

IHCV Medical Mission Team 2009

IHCV Medical Mission Team 2012

IHCV Medical Mission 2002-2012 (2 weeks) Year

Total Patients

Major Surgical Procedures

Days

Volunteers

2002

210

24

8

9

2003

450

40

8

24

2004

600

42

8

18

2005

1400

66

8

33

2006

910

53

8

28

2007

930

67

8

27

2008

900

65

8

30

2009

1000

74

7

32

2010

950

110

8

52

2011

1350

95

8

42

2012

990

90

8

32

Volunteers         

Medicine ID GI Pediatrics Surgery Gynecologist GYN oncology MFM Anesthesiology

        

Urogynecology Nurse anesthetist Dentist Dental Assistant Nurses Resident Physician Medical Students Senior Volunteer Junior Volunteers

Medical Mission 2012  

   

Regional Hospital @Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital @Cape Coast Apam Mankessim- Fistula Hospital KNUST Kumasi LaGeneral Hospital

PROGRAMS 

Primary Care    



Pediatrics Medicine OB/GYN Dental Screening

Specialized Care     

MFM GYN Oncology Surgical Oncology GI ID/HIV

CME/Didactics  Outreach 

 Cape Coast

Orphanage  Blood Drive  BP screening  Community Media Primary Prevention

FIRST

SITE

INITIAL SURGERY SITE

FIRST CLINIC DAY

PEDIATRIC CLINIC

IHCV Clinical Sustainable Projects Cervical Cancer Screening Project  Colon Cancer Screening Project  HIV Screening and Prevention Program 

WHO 

Cervical Cancer 2nd most common Cancer in developing countries



World wide 500,00 new cases/year



80% of cervical cancer occurs in developing countries



25% occurs in Africa

Cervical Cancer Screening Program Pap smears not in existence in Ghana  2009 – Workshop/Colposcopy cervical Ca screening  2010-2012 Continued screening, colposcopy of HR HPV patients  Cryotherapy  Cone biopsy 

Cervical Cancer Screening 2009 – 2012 (10 days/year)  Sites: Cape Coast/Kumasi  Total Screened 310 Ages 30- 52 yrs 

 HR HPV +  Colposcopy/Bx ○ CIN I ○ CIN II ○ CIN III ○ Cancer ○ Pending

35(11%) 25 17 6 2 0 10

OPERATING ROOM

Case GO Exp. Lap – TAHBSO debulking - Chemotherapy - Currently NED after 4 Courses of Chemo

IHCV Sustainable Educational Arm 

Partners  University of Cape Coast – School of

Medical Sciences

○ CME  Attendings  House Officer  Nursing ○ Didactic program for 4th and 5th year Medical

students

 Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital ○ Oncology Fellowship

Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

Cape Coast Orphanage Orphans due to AIDS 160,000  Orphans due to other causes 110,000 

Challenges Lack of Physicians  Lack of Facilities to Process Specimens  Not a High Priority 

WELL BABY/CHILD CLINIC

Apam – Accident & Emergency Ward

AD

AD

Kakum Rain Forest

Rich Culture - AKWABA

Elimina Castle

Cape Coast Castle

International Healthcare Volunteers  Ihcv.org  Contact: IHCVINFO@GMAIL.COM 

ELIMINA CASTLE

THANK

YOU