Teaching, Learning, and Healing in Kumasi

In September 2023, I had the profound honor of spending two weeks at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, an experience that deeply impacted both his professional journey and personal growth. Accompanied by Dr. Brad Hyatt, we immersed ourselves in a collaborative environment with the hospital's passionate and skilled team of plastic and orthopedic surgery residents, including the dedicated Drs. Seidu and Emile Tano. Throughout our time there, we worked hand in hand with these bright, driven individuals, sharing knowledge and engaging in lively discussions that enriched our understanding of upper extremity trauma care in that part of the world. Every morning, we started with lectures, where we focused on imparting practical techniques specifically designed for resource-constrained environments, ensuring that the tools and approaches we recommended could be adapted to the local realities.

One of the most impactful approaches we used was the WALANT (Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet) technique, which allowed patients to stay awake and cooperative during surgery. This method proved especially effective in the challenging settings. Throughout our time, we performed a wide variety of surgeries, including upper extremity trauma surgery, Burn reconstruction, oncologic resection procedures. The pediatric burn cases, in particular, highlighted the critical needs in the region.

What left a lasting impression on me was the extraordinary resilience and ingenuity of the local staff. In the face of ongoing shortages of surgical instruments, supplies, and medications, they demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness in overcoming these challenges. Whether through creatively repurposing equipment or adapting surgical techniques to fit the circumstances, the staff consistently found ways to ensure patients received the best possible care. Their ability to deliver exceptional results, even with limited resources, truly underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and adaptability in the medical field, reminding me of the profound impact these qualities have on patient outcomes.

Overcoming Obstacles with Ingenuity

Working in a resource-limited environment, we quickly realized the significant challenges posed by a shortage of surgical tools, supplies, and medications. However, this scarcity also brought out the extraordinary creativity and commitment of the local team.

The hospital staff displayed remarkable ingenuity, often finding innovative ways to extend the life of their instruments and adapt their techniques to work with limited resources. For example, when surgical tools were in short supply, they improvised methods to sterilize and repurpose equipment. These clever solutions were crucial in continuing to provide quality care despite the constraints.

What stood out the most was the unwavering dedication of the staff to their patients, and  the unending enthusiasm of the medical students and residents to learn. Even without advanced technologies, they relied on their clinical expertise and hands-on experience to make informed decisions. Their deep passion for patient care and their drive to deliver the best possible outcomes, despite overwhelming challenges, was truly inspiring. I felt Dr Sterling Bunnel's words echoing in my head: "To those who have nothing, a little is a lot”.

This experience reinforced the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and never losing sight of the patient’s well-being.

-Dr. Kunj Desai