Today, I’m honoured to share a guest post from Amanda Ofoliorkor Aryee, Chief Executive Officer of Leyaata Hospital. — Dr. Jennifer Wilson
“And this will be the model of the Carpenter hospital. It will be a hospital run by the best Ghanaian health professionals in Ghana, supported by people like us”…. (Dr. Jennifer Wilson, 2015 GHT blog)
This prophetic statement Dr. Wilson made ten years ago is the reality we live in now.
I joined the Leyaata Hospital family in 2021 when I was called in as a consultant pharmacist to help plan and prepare for the hospital pharmacy department with Linda Dresser, a Canadian pharmacist who had been on several missions since its inception.
That, to me, was the beginning of my partnership with the Ghana Health Partners (GHP). Linda and I shared knowledge of pharmacy practice from different cultures, continents and levels of experience. We had to co-create a pharmacy set-up that would best suit “The Model Hospital” the founders had envisioned.
This experience and shared learning grew bigger and stronger after the hospital was commissioned in 2022, where the Ghana Health Team (GHT) transitioned into Ghana Health Partners (GHP) for Leyaata hospital. From the arrival of the first GHP team in February 2023, when the hospital opened until now (five missions and counting), we have had several trainings for different cadre of staff.
The trainings and shared learning have covered both the clinical and non-clinical areas.
The interesting thing we all noticed was that for every training session per mission, God brought us a real life test case to apply the knowledge gained during that mission.
I remember when our first batch of midwives graduated from the Helping Babies Breathe and Essential Care for Babies training led by Dr. Anne Smith and Dr. Jennifer Wilson, we had an emergency case of preterm newborns and this freshly acquired knowledge was put to good use by the midwives. This was an exciting and proud moment for the team!
The GHP have worked alongside the Leyaata staff in building sustainable work flows and plans for each department. They have transferred skills and knowledge in clinical areas such as OPD, ER, inpatient, maternity, physiotherapy, theatre, dental, eye, biomedical, radiology, pharmacy and laboratory units.
All of this was done with one aim in mind– to make Leyaata Hospital a model hospital that provides the best quality of care for all persons in God’s love.
We are grateful to the GHP for their support and flexibility in co-creating health systems that work for our setting, while maintaining the highest standards of patient care. Their time, dedication, passion and resilience are commendable, and we truly appreciate their support.
Just as in Dr. David Mensah’s analogy of the old experienced horse and new young horse ploughing a field, the GHP and Leyaata staff are forging on together.
Every mission brings a transfer of different skills and shared learning experiences to both old and new team members. We look forward to many more years together and for a stronger partnership.
I hope and pray that after the next ten years, we will all look back and thank God for the lives (patients, staff, and partners) that have benefited from this great service.
Leyaata CEO, Amanda Ofoliorkor, baby Elsie, Dr. Jennifer Wilson.
Early morning run club.
Tracey making bacterial culture media in the lab.
The Mensahs overseeing the troops!
ER head-to-toe assessment training.
Dr. David and anesthetist Fusi.
Leyaata parking lot.
Leyaata’s eye doctors performed the majority of the 26 OCT procedures today!
The laser.
Dr. Josh preserving vision for this man who translated the Bible into the local Mo language.
Gonioscopy
ER template training!
Our special friend Ernestina visited us today! Ernestina, a now retired physician assistant, and midwife, joined us for all of our past Ghana Health Team missions and recently retired as the head Matron of Leyaata.
Dr. Sue and Dr. Obed announcing that there will be a mental health education session for all hospital staff on Wednesday.
Dr. Rich enjoying his GF oat pancakes!
Favourite video of the day!
Every night is games night!
Favourite photo of the day!
Hugs for Marion.
DR. JENNIFER WILSON
MD, CCFP (EM), FCFP, DIM&PH, MPH (FCM) CSGH
Director of International Partnerships Canadian Consultant for Family & Emergency Medicine
Leyaata Hospital, Carpenter, Ghana
DISCLAIMER: This content is intended as updates shared to Ghana Health Partners’ Team Updates subscribers only and should not be shared with anyone.
Darlene says
Thanks for sharing, would say that I have to agree with your favorite photo but hugs are always good too.
David Butcher says
Awesome pics and stories! So amazing to see God’s hand of provision at work through so many wonderful people! Leyaata Hospital truly is a miracle for the people of Northern Ghana!
Christine Harding says
Thank you again for the update. I did have a giggle when I saw the Leyaata parking lot. I would mention the tour you gave us was most interesting on the weekend. We are all thankful and grateful for GHP and the work that has been ongoing for so many years in Carpenter and area. Today, the statement, that stood out to me was – the best quality care for persons in God’s love. This is Leyaata hospital.
Graham Wilson says
Thanks for sharing from your side Amanda! I love to hear the experiences of this great partnership!