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You are here: Home / Ghana Health Team / 2019 Health Team / Rise and Build

Rise and Build

2019/11/11 By Dr. Jennifer Wilson

A lot happens in a day around here.

This morning we gathered under the gazebo for a service of commissioning prior to beginning our work. I thought our collective singing was very enthusiastic until Dr. Mensah announced “Your singing is weak”. That was all it took for the clapping and dancing to begin! Dr. David, a young Ghanaian physician remembered operating on his very first hernia under the instruction of our surgeons years ago. Just before the surgery, the patient told him, “This hernia is older than you are son”. He thanked our surgeons for giving him the courage to repair it. Soale shared an inspiring message from the book of Mark about how beauty and joy come after the storms of life. He challenged us not to ever give up during a storm because the impact of our efforts will be beautiful. Dr. Mensah commissioned our Canadian, UK, German, and Ghanaian team with words from the book of Nehemiah, when Nehemiah challenged the people to rebuild the wall around the city. He explained that ill- health, hernia, glaucoma and infections all represent broken down walls that humiliate and destroy the lives of his people. Our work here is rebuilding walls and he challenged us with Nehemiah’s very words — “let us rise up and build”.

It was very symbolic that our entire group then set off to witness the building of NEA’s Leyaata Hospital. Many of us have been involved in the planning of this model hospital, but today we saw this symbol of hope rising up with our very own eyes. Our physicians stood together in the future emergency room where lives will be saved every day. Linda, Sherry and the pharmacy team stood in the future pharmacy, where life saving medications will be available to all. Mr. Rob, Mr. Magdi and the entire surgical team stood in the future department of surgery, where four operating theatres will be functioning every day of the year. For those of us who have been collectively working with NEA towards the goal of sustainable health care, it was a day we will never ever forget.

And that all happened before our work day even began.

Our medical, dental and eye teams, together with our fleet of translators and volunteers, had the privilege of providing care this afternoon to 400 of NEA staff and their loved ones. And my goodness — I could not believe how efficiently all systems were working for day one. Meanwhile, our surgical team had all operating rooms up and running, listed 69 patients and completed 19 surgeries including one general anaesthetic. Bex was glowing as she provided a report on a spectacular afternoon they had in the theatre.

The volume in the dining hall this evening was so loud that I could barely hear my table mates talking. Enthusiasm and energy are high, knowing that we all have day one under our belts. We concluded our day by Dr. Josh leading us in a time of sharing and silence for Remembrance Day. As we remember the price others paid for our freedom, may we all be challenged to rise and build a world where all men, women and children can grow strong and free.

Commissioning under the gazebo.
Dr. Jennifer, Dr. Rob and Dr. Magdi together with Dr. David and Brenda Mensah at the site where 2,000 cement blocks are being made every day to build the Leyaata Hospital.
Pharmacy team in the future Leyaata Pharmacy.
Physician team standing in the future Leyaata Emergency Department.
Surgical team standing in a future Leyaata Theatre (Operating Room).
Rise and Build

Dr. Jennifer Wilson, MD, CCFP(EM), FCFP, DIMPH

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Filed Under: 2019 Health Team, Ghana Health Team

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. lizzie lake says

    2019/11/12 at 11:10 pm

    Hey Doctor Jennifer, i hugged your mom this morning at the nursery door as we shared a moment of glee for God’s incredible blessings.

  2. Judith Gooding says

    2019/11/12 at 6:09 pm

    This continues to be amazing! God bless you all.

  3. Simon Hale says

    2019/11/12 at 6:08 pm

    Great to see the hospital taking shape. I can only imagine the joy this is bringing to the people of Carpenter and surrounding areas, knowing their very own hospital is now well on its way. Sounds like you’re all firing on all cylinders. 19 surgeries completed on the first day – very impressive. Big up Bex (Rebecca Jones) and all in theatre today. And not forgetting the medical, dental, eye teams, translators, volunteers and everyone else making a massive difference out there. So inspiring.
    Big love to you all x
    Miss you Rebecca Jones. Mwah Mwah xx

  4. Sean Elliott says

    2019/11/12 at 5:32 pm

    Great to hear that you have arrived safely and are jumping in to rebuild the walls and lives of the patients you have been given. They are God’s special Ghanaian treasures. You are His hands and feet! May the joy of the Lord (as it sounded like you experienced In your commissioning) be your strength! Blessings Sean & Bonnie

  5. Sean Morrison says

    2019/11/12 at 3:52 pm

    The vision is coming to fruition! I was so excited this afternoon to see photos of the hospital walls going up. The hard work and determination of the GRID & NEA team over the years will have a lasting impact on Ghana. God bless you all and please be safe. The boys and I are thinking of you, Carlye.

  6. James Doran says

    2019/11/12 at 1:29 pm

    DR Jennifer great to see in action the work being done by the group, best wishes to you all for a wonderful mission and many thanks too from me and family for the wonderful bulletins.

    Love to Gilly, Jamesxx & A.C.E.xxx

  7. Kate Inchley says

    2019/11/12 at 10:53 am

    Thank you so much for your inspiring words, and updates on your work through the next 2 amazing weeks, you are all brilliant to do so much . Its wonderful to see the building progressing. Reading the blog brings us all a little closer together The photo’s are great
    Love and blessings
    Kate x ( Dr Jo’s Mum)

  8. Susan Duckett says

    2019/11/12 at 10:07 am

    There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
    ~Albert Einstein
    Thank you for making the miracles and seeing the miracles, and recognizing that we are all part of God’s providence. Special hugs for Dr. Carlye.

  9. Pauline Pankewich says

    2019/11/12 at 9:36 am

    Glad you all made it over safely. Wonderful to see the hospital building coming to fruition, what a blessing.

  10. Diana M says

    2019/11/12 at 9:20 am

    Hello to everyone in Ghana! and a special great big hello to our wonderful pharmacist, Martha.
    All the staff and residents at Shepherd Village are just loving the blogs and all the wonderful pictures that come along with them. We are so very much in awe of everyone working and helping in Ghana, and cant believe how well the hospital is coming along! We send many well wishes, prayers and good energy to everyone working so tirelessly each and every single day. And if any one feels like its too hot in Ghana just think of all the cool snow and -10 weather here in Toronto. Brrrrrr!
    Have a wonderful day!

  11. Tom and Julie Eustace says

    2019/11/12 at 9:10 am

    So wonderful to see the bricks and mortar underway; such an achievement. You all have much to be proud of, as this is the ultimate gift for the Ghanaians. Thank you for sharing your wonderful journey. Lots of love to Leslie.

  12. Joan says

    2019/11/12 at 9:00 am

    My tears are blurring the photos as I saw each of you in the hospital we have all been hoping would be built and now can see the walls rising around you. Keep up the good work. I love and miss you all.

  13. Erika Smith says

    2019/11/12 at 8:58 am

    Congratulations on a great first day of clinic! Remembrance Day has always been very important in our family. My maternal grandfather served and my paternal great uncle made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom in Belgium in World War Two. It does not surprise me that my brother, Dr. Josh, lead you all in a time or sharing and rememberance.

    Keep up the amazing work; I look forward to our daily glimpse into the amazing work you are all doing.

    Lest we Forget.

  14. Jennifer Simpson says

    2019/11/12 at 8:40 am

    Wow, hard to believe all that has come to be. I am so inspired seeing the progress and the enthusiasm and pray you all stay healthy and happy while carrying out your important work.
    Lots of Love,
    The Simpsons

  15. Agnes Lobbezoo says

    2019/11/12 at 8:37 am

    This is history making for the future. Very powerful.

  16. Phil Zeidler says

    2019/11/12 at 8:04 am

    This is my third year of following your amazing mission – and I continue to be filled with admiration and pride at the extraordinary work you are all doing. To see the Hospital finally coming out of the ground is so inspiring, knowing that the small but hugely valued healthcare ‘patch’ that you apply for 2 weeks of each year to some of the most in need will soon grow into an all year round service in a purpose built setting is fitting testament to the amazing tenacity, resilience and forward thinking of everyone involved in this project over the years. The legacy will be a great one – truly changing peoples lives for the better for ever. Love to Dr Anne – all is well at home, we miss you, but wouldn’t wish you to be any where else.

  17. Jennifer Harper says

    2019/11/12 at 7:59 am

    Wow!
    Another great day!
    Very interesting hat you’re wearing Martha!
    Love
    Jennifer, Christopher & Spyro

  18. Sandra S says

    2019/11/12 at 7:47 am

    Inspiring reading. Seeing the hospital go up is very rewarding. Self sustainment is a great goal. The hospital represents a huge step toward that goal. And you have all contributed to that end. Wonderful news.
    More snow last night. Shovelled driveway three times. It is beautiful though. Love you Carlye.

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