GRID and NEA

Sustainable Development in Ghana

Team Updates

Finding A Way To Shine

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“It is the responsibility, yet the individual choice, of each of us to use the light we have to dispel the work of darkness because if we do not, then the power of falsehood rises.” ~John Lewis, Across That Bridge.

All teams set their hearts, hands, and minds to making the most of our final two days at Leyaata Hospital.

On Wednesday morning, Leyaata’s lab manager, Moses, gave a challenging devotion from Mark 5:25-31 about never giving up. It was his birthday, and we found him the perfect gift. The team’s blood donations topped up his blood bank.

We were invited to “chill” with David Mensah on Wednesday evening at his home, and he welcomed us with fresh lemonade from his lemon tree. Colourful party snacks included fried mushrooms, beef shish kabobs with green pepper, plantain chips, “Kele Wele,” and fruit salad with a ginger sauce. We enjoyed listening to captivating stories of David’s first journey to Canada (during Ghana’s coup d’état) to pursue his education. He then shared how he met and fell in love with Brenda while working weekends on the Paisley farm in Stouffville. Those who want to read more should purchase his book, Kwabena: An African Boy’s Journey of Faith.

All our mentorship programs wrapped up so well. The ER team concluded by co-caring for many serious patients, including three poisonous snake bites in 24 hours. Every case, including jaw dislocations, strokes, pneumothoraces, and fractures, provided opportunities to apply new knowledge and implement new processes.

We were thankful that the Leyaata Eye Clinic was so accessible and well-equipped when one of our team members, quickly followed by a Leyaata team member, had an unexpected rise in eye pressure. Treating colleagues can be stressful, but both underwent successful emergency laser surgery in the clinic.

Our surgical and anesthesia program wrapped up with 90 surgeries in 9 days. In addition to hernia surgeries, the team was able to slip in some emergency cases as well. As Mr. Hicks said, “Each surgery is a vehicle for process,” and by Thursday evening, that process was solidly in place. When a surgical emergency came through the ER late that night, the Ghanaian team suggested their UK partners could return to bed because they felt equipped and confident to handle the case independently. What a way for Rob, Karen, Nicky, and Ebenezer (celebrating his 10th wedding anniversary in Ghana) to end their mission.

Our education programs concluded with a graduation ceremony under the Leyaata Gazebo, where each successful participant received a certificate from Dr. David Mensah and the course instructors. Dr. Anne and I were particularly proud to pass the baton to seven Leyaata midwives who are now certified trainers in the Helping Babies Survive program. As the staff proudly rose to accept their diplomas to the enthusiastic cheers of their peers, I was reminded of a quotation by Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” The hospital staff and our Ghana Health Partners then gathered for a large group photo on the front steps of Leyaata to mark this foundational partnership event. I can’t wait for you to see this special photo when it is released.

The Last Supper was symbolic and emotional as we reflected aloud on our gratitude for one another and how we will remember one another. Although we received thanks for so much, we reminded our Ghanaian colleagues that we receive more than we give. Team veterans noted how their lives and the lives of their families have been profoundly and permanently impacted by the influence of our partners in Ghana — their way of life, their faith, and the lessons we have learned. David Mensah explained that while they have little to give us, they have something better. They have God — and so he prayed God would bless us and our families richly and with long life for the contribution made over the past two weeks. All noted the mutual respect, reciprocity, and depth of relationships in that room.

As I return to the South and hear news of world events, I’m once again reminded of the degree of global suffering and darkness in our world. Yet, as one of my global health mentors often reminds me, “Light always finds a way to shine.” With this, I want to thank my team members for taking on the responsibility and using the light they carry to find a way to shine. Leyaata and NEA are like a beacon — dispelling the darkness of poverty, food insecurity, gender inequity, conflict, injustice, and preventable deaths in Northern Ghana. Despite many challenges and being pushed way outside our comfort zones, adding our light to theirs has been an honour and privilege. We will return home different than when we arrived.

To all our friends, family, colleagues, and supporters who made it possible for us to be here and do our part in changing a turmoil-wracked world, we thank you for your sacrifices and look forward to sweet reunions on home soil very soon.

Gift of Life

When a Caramilk bar from the freezer suddenly appears after two weeks without chocolate!

Midwives teaching midwives

Shout out to colleague “Dr. Annie” who makes co-teaching an absolute joy!

Dr. Carlye proudly holding the new Leyaata ER stroke protocol.

GQ Ghana

Jane and Nicky’s new skirts

CASTED Graduation

LTEP Graduation

Biomed and Leadership Partners

Anaesthesia Partners

Diagnostic Imaging Partners

Hernia International Carpenter Partners

Rehab Partners

Pharmacy Partners

Eye Team Partners

Dental Partners

Surgical Partners

CASTED Training

Canadian Nursing Team

Joyful Midwives

It always comes to an end too fast.

Thank you Dr. Mensah for our Friendship bracelets!

Signing off for November 2023!

Dr. Jennifer Wilson
DR. JENNIFER WILSON
MD CCFP (EM) DIM&PH FCFP
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. 

Monty

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Back home, one of the laws of emergency medical education is that when you attend training on a particular condition, you best prepare because that condition is guaranteed to arrive on your next shift. The same is true in Ghana.

But first, let me tell you about our weekend.

Everyone was supposed to take Saturday off, but after Tim Horton’s coffee and omelet breakfast, a final half-day of CASTED training took place. Many of our partnership teams used the morning for extra teaching, training, and planning. Leyaata staff who had taken the Trauma and Emergency Pediatric course were given the opportunity for extra practice at skills sessions, so it was a busy morning for all. We insisted our first-time team members take a break and join Dr. Mensah for a tour of the NEA compound. It is essential to see how Leyaata and the provision of health care intersect with all the NEA development sectors that aim to prevent disease and promote health. Our newcomers toured the fish hatchery, mushroom farm, and ostrich farm. They heard about NEA’s food security and water and sanitation programs.

We welcomed a delegation from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) at lunch, who spent the weekend with us. KNUST is the country’s first public university established and ranked the best university in Ghana in 2019 and 2020. KNUST houses a faculty of Pharmacy, Medicine, Dentistry, Public Health, and Allied Health, so the delegation was very interested in the international partnerships Leyaata has formed in all these areas. We can only dream and imagine and pray towards the potential for future collaboration with this incredible university.

After a Saturday afternoon of rest or walks into the village to buy fresh peanut butter, the team geared up for our 12th Annual Ghana’s Got Talent Show. It did not disappoint. Low in budget but high in creativity, it was entertainment at its best — skits, songs, limericks, game shows, award ceremonies, and more. Our colleagues from KNUST joined the fun, as did some of our Ghanaian partners. Together, we could forget about the world’s perils and our leadership loads for a moment and have some good old-fashioned fun. Laughter is such good medicine for us all and for the expected and a few unexpected team ailments. The show’s Grand Finale was my favourite, but that story will wait until we get home.

After a beautiful, colourful, inspiring, dance-filled African church service, we rested until the football (soccer) match between NEA/GHP versus the town kids took place. Dr. David Mensah was the chief referee. A few of our team members may have been seen limping back to the residence and might have required an NEA Uber to get to dinner.

The second week of our mission kicked off under the NEA gazebo for devotions. Yet again, David Mensah gave a thought-provoking address about a Bible story from Acts 3:1-8 where two disciples passed a beggar at the gate called BEAUTIFUL on their way to a prayer meeting. The beggar, who they walked by every day, asked them for money. Their response was one of awakening and partnership. They exclaimed,” Look at us!” Then they went on to explain that they had no money but would give him something better, and the man was healed. David reminded us that as Christians, health workers, or humanitarians, it can be easy for our good work to become so routine that we no longer see the suffering. Our eyes can become blind to the needs right in front of us. We can forget that life is not BEAUTIFUL for so many in our world and withhold the healing we can offer. David further elaborated by repeating the disciples’ words,” Look at us!” Look at us standing shoulder to shoulder to establish a model hospital. Look at us meeting the medical, surgical, dental, and eye needs of the most marginalized people in society in a holistic way. Look at us offering healing to the lame, sight to the blind, relief and comfort for suffering. Look at us serving and sacrificing to make life beautiful for others.

Now, back to my opening statement.

On Sunday night, after a week of trauma and orthopedic training, the Leyaata ER team received a patient who had been hit by a car while we were all sound asleep in our beds. Applying the trauma training they had just received from Jannine and Monica and the orthopedic training from Shmuel, they were able to stabilize this patient, protect his spine, splint major fractures, bind the pelvis, and accompany him in the Leyaata ambulance to the higher level of care he would require. The testimony of this emergency team was moving—they felt equipped and were able to put into practice all they had learned. Our instructors and our ER team are catching a glimpse of the impact this training and mentorship will have.

Walking home Sunday evening from Leyaata, our team, who were busily chatting with one another, noticed their Ghanaian colleagues stop dead in their tracks in front of them. Our team members wisely followed suit as a black and white python, whose length was about 1/3 of the driveway, slithered across. One version of the story is that Mr. Hicks wrestled Monty to the ground, thereby saving everyone’s life. David Mensah explained this is a rare sighting but quickly reassured us that pythons are not poisonous. He also pointed out that this “big snake” was, in fact, just a little baby.

With three days of service left at the mighty Leyaata, we appreciate the prayers and well wishes of our friends, families, and supporters for safety, health, and a productive end to this remarkable partnership mission. We are all missing home very much but determined to finish strong.

ER team planning for week 2

NEA Tour

Football Match

Ghana’s Got Talent

Eye Team’s Got Talent

ER Team has a talent!

“If I were a parasite” to the tune of “If I were a rich man”

Ghana’s Got Talent: Relay Races

Who can get the cracker from your forehead to your mouth the fastest? That’s talent!

Kyle has moves!

Blending In!

Homemade party snacks: plantain chips, donuts and peanuts

Devotions in NEA gazebo

Graduates of LTEP cohort 2 (shared with permission)

Dr. Jennifer Wilson
DR. JENNIFER WILSON
MD CCFP (EM) DIM&PH FCFP
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. 

Against All Odds

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He’d been suffering for four years with a surgical condition that was untreatable in Ghana. His family was beyond desperate when they arrived at Leyaata Hospital. Attempting this surgery at Leyaata was a difficult decision to make—it would require all of our collective surgical, anesthesia, and nursing resources for an entire day. Other patients would need to be postponed. Was it worth taking this risk and devoting many resources to one person?

When we came to Ghana to run our mission from 2007-2019, Dr. Kyle’s dental clinic was held under a mango tree while cattle grazed around him. Dr. Martin’s eye clinic was in a peanut storage facility in a cough-inducing, rash-producing sauna. Our emergency department was a classroom in a village school. Mr. Rob’s theatre was a multipurpose building on the NEA compound that became a surgical center once a year. We treasured every moment of those missions and their impact on the region while we collectively dreamed of sustainability.

Today, I stepped into Leyaata Dental Clinic. I saw Dr. Kyle, Dr. Garrett, and Leyaata’s dental professional, Ella, hard at work in their multi-room, air-conditioned facility with two beautiful dental suites with X-ray capability. Wasn’t it just yesterday that Garrett was a university student volunteer on our dental team? How is he now a qualified dentist at Leyaata, working alongside Kyle and Ella on a complex dental case that took the team two hours to complete?

Tears filled my eyes when I toured the Eye Clinic today, and goosebumps covered my sweaty arms. Dan (our Optometric Assistant up for promotion) toured me through the facility as our three optometrists, Dr. Martin, Dr. Stephen, and Dr. Josh, were consulting with patients. (So glad Stephen returned to work after being locked in the bathroom for an hour, unbeknownst to his teammates.) The rooms were full of state-of-the-art equipment, including the laser for glaucoma treatment and an electronic automated phoropter that was more sophisticated than anything I’ve seen in Canada. They had some technical/electrical challenges, but our busy Biomed Team of Daniel and Charles (who call each other “Boss”) handled it. Marion, the founder of our eye team in 2007, was hard at work with Prosper setting up the Leyaata Optical Shop — full of thousands of donated eyeglasses and sunglasses that are cataloged and entered into the Leyaata eyeglasses bank. I remember this team crawling out of the NEA peanut storage facility (otherwise fondly known as the “nut house”) at the end of their long, hot clinics for so many years. How is it that a few short years later, Leyaata is about to become an optical center of excellence?

Those who read my book Grant Us Tomorrow: A Medical Memoir by Wilson, Dr. Jennifer (amazon.ca) Blue Heron Books | Grant Us Tomorrow will know that our 11 Ghana Health Teams treated emergencies in school classrooms, gazebos, and roadsides. Today, I toured the ER where Dr. Carlye and our ER nurses Val, Jennifer, and Leslie are working tirelessly with the Leyaata ER team to help set up the physical building and then dive deep into Leyaata’s ER policies, procedures, and clinical pathways —offering their many years of ER experience to this young and keen Leyaata team. The place is incredible —organized storage rooms, a stocked and equipped trauma suite, a resuscitation room, a fracture clinic, and patient cubicles adorned with Leyaata curtains. The ER is ready to receive patients. I wonder what the next major emergency that rolls through those doors will be.

Our training programs continue with intensity. Monica and Jannine are now training the second cohort of LTEP students. Dr. Shmuel, with assistance from Dr. Carlye and our rehab team of Ellen and Jodi, has spent every evening teaching the medical staff how to manage and cast fractures. This evening, Dr. Shmuel invited our X-ray technician, Kelly, to present a short lecture on essential things to consider when choosing what X-ray to order. She did such an incredible job that we are booking her to deliver the same talk to our physicians at home!

Thursday, Dr. Anne and I launched our training in the maternity department. In February, we had the honour of teaching the midwifery team two courses on Helping Babies Breathe and Essential Care for Every Baby. Today, we are training them to teach these courses and have had the privilege of cheering them on as they begin teaching the courses to the four new Leyaata midwives. Chief Midwifery Officer Doris exclaimed, “Our crying and sorrow is over because the joy of a midwife is to save babies!” At one point, Dr.

Mensah and his brother Chief Joseph popped into our training and, with Anne and I sitting off to the side grinning (and maybe crying) like proud mothers, the midwifery team expertly ran a simulation on how they would save a baby who is not breathing at birth. Dr. David and Chief Joseph reflected on how many babies they have seen die for lack of this training. The midwifery team has a solid vision to take the training to the small community clinics and scale up across the region. How many babies and mothers will be saved through the efforts of Leyaata Hospital and these midwives?

This evening, our pharmacy team of Amanda, Linda, and Sherry (we call them Big Pharma) are educating the entire staff on the responsible use of antibiotics to combat the growing and deadly problem of antibiotic resistance. I’ve been reflecting on the hundreds of hockey bags of drugs we used to pack and bring to Ghana for our mission every year. Now, we walk into the stocked Leyaata pharmacy that is taking an important leadership role in this hospital and the region. Amanda, Sherry, and Linda dream of opening an outpatient pharmacy to serve the community and generate income for the hospital. I wonder when those doors will open its doors? How quickly could we pull together a fundraising campaign to build it?

Many of my reflections and questions were answered by Ernestina’s devotional Thursday morning, which she entitled “Against All Odds.” This dear woman, who has worked beside me since I stepped foot in Ghana in 2007 and is now the Leyaata Matron, reminded us that God has orchestrated for each one of us to arrive in Ghana against all odds and for a particular purpose— maybe even for one person — like the dental patient who required two hours and three dentists to help him, or the surgical patient requiring a six-hour surgery and two hours of intensive care. “Mr. Hicks and his team came to Ghana against all odds for one man. If I never remember anything else, I will always remember that man and his wife, who are no longer suffering.” Ernestina concluded.

I agree with Ernestina that there is undoubtedly a divine orchestration behind all of this, and we are very proud Leyaata partners who are wholeheartedly excited about what is happening in this place and about what is about to happen next — against all odds. Take a look at us now! (For the Phil Collins fans in the group).

Until next week….

Practising casting on Abraham, Leyaata’s Administrator!

Ultrasonographer Jane is joyfully transferring skills to the midwife team as she teaches them how to confirm the position and heart beat of babies in the antenatal clinic.

Midwife Thecla teaching Helping Babies Breathe

Chief Midwifery Officer Doris setting up a neonatal resuscitation simulation.

Dr. Annie, as she is fondly called, is sporting a new look.

Helping Babies Breathe Training

Eye Team enjoying the new electronic automated phoropter.

Josh and Issa

Marion working on the eyeglass database.

Prosper’s Optical Dispensary

Radiographer Kelly giving a fantastic guest lecture to the CASTED participants.

Dr. Josh and Dr. Martin and their “precious” (the laser).

Leyaata midwives after performing a simulated resuscitation in front of Dr. Mensah and Chief Joseph of Yaara village.

Fresh fried snapper and plantain, beans, salad and pineapple.

Leaf Bug

GRID & NEA IMPACT UPDATES (NOVEMBER 2023)

Dr. Jennifer Wilson
DR. JENNIFER WILSON
MD CCFP (EM) DIM&PH FCFP
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. 

“We Want To Start Well”

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As is the custom here at NEA and Leyaata, the staff gather together every morning under the Noah Ampen Gazebo for a short Bible lesson and prayer before the work day begins.

Morning Devotions

Dr. David Mensah was the speaker on Monday morning, and he warned us that he needed extra time to speak because “We want to start well!” he proclaimed. The Bible reading was from Ruth 1:8-18, and it was read in English, Twi, and then translated to Hebrew by our teammate Dr. Shmuel Yablonsky.

Dr. Shmuel Yablonsky reading Scriptures in Hebrew

Dr. David Mensah, the master orator, used this story to inspire us all to be people like Ruth, who refuse to let life’s difficulties or pleasant distractions cause us to veer off track from helping humanity.

Usually, it takes a couple of days for our GHP to settle in, get their feet under them, and begin the work. That is not the case with this team. All systems go with our teaching, training, and service as we fall into the familiar rhythms of this partnership built on a foundation of deep friendship, respect, trust, and shared vision.

I’m certain I have the best job in the world as I circulate around this sprawling facility and see our partnership teams huddling everywhere —strategizing, planning, listening, addressing obstacles, and delivering.

Amanda and me making morning announcements

Eye Team Huddle

Nursing Huddle

Rehab Huddle

Post-Op Care Huddle

Diagnostic Imaging Huddle in the Control Room

Neglected Tropical Disease Huddle

Dr. Carlye and ER nurse Charles

Isabella shadowing in Pharmacy

Isabella looking at malaria parasites

There is a lot of laughter and a lot of sweat (well, except for some who enjoy working in A/C, but I won’t name names now, will I?).

Surgical Partners

Surgical Team

Surgeries are underway!

When I popped into the dental clinic this morning, our Leyaata Dental Team was following up with a Leyaata staff member who had a dental emergency on Monday. “Yesterday, I was suffering. Today, I can eat again,” he told me while permitting me to share his story and this picture.

Dental team with Samuel who received emergency care on Monday

A large power outage affected our residence Monday night, leaving us without light, fans, and water. It reminded me so much of our early years in Ghana when we didn’t have the luxuries that NEA generously provides us with now —”the good ol’ days” when the headlamps went on at sunset, bucket baths were taken under the stars, and there was no cell or wi-fi. I think it is good for us to go without these things from time to time.

Due to strict privacy regulations that Leyaata Hospital must adhere to, I cannot share details of patient stories. Still, I will share photos of our teaching and training with permission from course participants.

Leyaata Trauma and Emergency Pediatric (LTEP) Course

LTEP Training

LTEP Training

LTEP Training with Ernestina overseeing

Trauma Simulations

Trauma Simulations

Our dear colleague Ernestina leading the staff in a song during a break from emergency training

Leyaata’s vision is crystal clear — to become a leading model hospital in quality patient care and the best Christian health care centre preferred in Ghana and Africa. We have started very well and pray for health and strength to stay focused on this vision and give Leyaata our best selves for the next two weeks.

This is the stunning Leyaata fabric which is used to make uniforms and curtains within the hospital.

Dr. Jennifer Wilson
DR. JENNIFER WILSON
MD CCFP (EM) DIM&PH FCFP
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. 

Arriving in Carpenter City

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Friends,

I’m thankful to report that our Ghana Health Partners have arrived in “Carpenter City.” Our journey to the north was delayed by a few “travel glitches,” but spirits, emotions, and body temperatures were extremely high as we rolled into the lush and very gorgeous NEA compound yesterday late afternoon. Big hugs, lots of tears, deafening cheers, and passionate singing marked a beautiful reunion for our veteran team members and a memorable welcome for our eight first-time team members.

Without unpacking our personal belongings, cooling off, or elevating swollen ankles, the team went off to Leyaata Hospital to prepare for the next day. Classrooms, operating rooms, and clinics were set up, supplies were unloaded, and hernia patients were greeted. If anyone was exhausted, they didn’t show it. As is the custom, we enjoyed a delicious spaghetti dinner that Patience and her team prepared.

It is a privilege to be here. It is an honour to be invited into this partnership. We look forward to a wonderful two weeks of learning, teaching, mentoring, and serving alongside our colleagues at Leyaata.

It is great to be back!

Jodi & Ellen, our rehab team, enjoying the 33 degrees weather at a pit stop.

Small-small problem.

Surgeons are not mechanics.

Plan B: the NEA church bus to the rescue!

Setting up for the Leyaata Trauma and Emergency Pediatric Training Course.

Dr. Jennifer Wilson
DR. JENNIFER WILSON
MD CCFP (EM) DIM&PH FCFP
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. 

On This November 11th

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On the 11th day of the 11th month of 2023, Ghana Health Partners from around the world made their way to Ghana.

Along the way, we paused to remember. As Josh read the Exhortation of the Act of Remembrance and we fell silent, there was and continues to be, much to reflect upon. “What happened to ‘Never Again,’ someone wondered aloud.

While November 11th is not about us, my heart tells me that when 31 individuals choose to act based on values of service, respect, partnership, and cooperation, we honour the sacrifice of those we remember in a tangible way. And as we watch world events unfold, our response is to join hands in partnership with our Ghanaian colleagues to better humanity— not to destroy it.

Canada Team

UK Team

Airport birthday party for Jane!

The Exhortation of the Act of Remembrance with Josh.

Dr. Jennifer Wilson
DR. JENNIFER WILSON
MD CCFP (EM) DIM&PH FCFP
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. 

Making Humanity Better

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“If you were to cut our hearts open, then you would see how much we love you,” David said as we gathered for our final devotions under the hospital gazebo. The entire NEA staff bussed over so we could all be together one last time. During the devotional, five new nurses and laboratory technicians were welcomed to Leyaata as their staff is growing by the day. “You are going to learn how good partnerships can make humanity better,” David told them before heading off for our final work day. (He also reminded the new staff not to wear their earbuds when walking around the hospital — some things are universal!)

It was a special day as final projects were completed, gifts given, dances danced, and future plans mapped out. Linda arranged a zoom teaching session with a pharmacist from the Hospital for Sick Children. Dr. Ben and I worked on a proposal for the Leyaata Cancer Prevention Centre.

Final nursing meeting.

The last dance.

Lab fun!
Loving our Ghanian clothes!
Really going to miss the mangoes!

By day’s end, the blood bank was full thanks to NEA, Leyaata, and Ghana Health Partners (GHP). Lab Director Moses presented Tracey, Erin, and Ozy each with a citation that read:

“In recognition of your dedication, teamwork, and support, 

Leyaata Hospital Laboratory awards you today this citation 

for your commitment to quality, mentorship,

and aiding the validation of chemistry reference ranges.”

Lab team with citations.
A well stocked fridge!

I’m so happy to report that our premature babies are doing very well. Thecla, the midwife who courageously resuscitated the baby girl, rarely left her side for the first few days, and I would often find her draped over the incubator praying for them. As she went about their care, I would hear her ushering, “Hello my darling!” or “I love you, my precious babies,” or “Sorry, my baby!” when she had to adjust their tubes and lines.

I was not sure that these babies would survive, but by God’s grace and the skill of the entire midwifery and medical team, I am delighted to share this report that the twin baby boy is now out of the NICU, and his little sister is improving day by day. In fact, she spent most of the day gazing around her incubator with her big beautiful dark eyes while using her tiny, almost translucent fingers to try to remove her tubes. She is feisty, and Mom’s big smile was a sight to behold when she was finally able to hold her for a short while. With mom’s permission, we are sharing a picture of her with the twins and the team that cared for them.

Our preemie twins and the team that worked together to save them. Thecla is third from the left.

Thecla shared with me the joy she is feeling — knowing that she has skills and resources to help these small babies. Thecla and Doris are going to be instructors for all of these courses so that they can scale up the “Helping Babies Survive” program to the surrounding region.

Celebrating International Women’s Day with some very inspiring women!
Ernestina and I have been shoulder to shoulder for 15 years.
Umu speaks five languages and was a massive help to our Ghana Health Teams. She is now an Ambassador at the Leyaata Hospital.

This mission was successful on so many levels and has provided clarity for our Leyaata and GHP leaders as to the path forward. It is such a healthy global health partnership based on common values, mutual respect, and deep love. Today, when Dr. Mensah said, “You bring us so much colour. We are really going to miss your colour!” I realized once again how unique this Global North-South partnership really is.

I want to thank NEA, the Leyaata Senior Management Team, and all my Ghana Health Partners for choosing to love, serve, and make humanity better. I also wish to thank the families and friends who continue to make it possible for us to zip off to Ghana on a regular basis! As they say in Ghana, may God replenish your efforts many times over.

I’ll conclude with a quotation from Lilla Watson that resonates with me deeply as we conclude this 2023 GHP mission and depart from Leyaata:

“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time.  

But if you have come because your liberation is bound up in mine, 

then let us work together.”

Dr. Jennifer Wilson
DR. JENNIFER WILSON
MD CCFP (EM) DIM&PH FCFP
Director of International Partnerships Canadian Consultant for Family & Emergency Medicine
Leyaata Hospital, Carpenter, Ghana

A Decade Later

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On Tuesday, the mission and vision of our Ghana Health Partners organization, which had previously been words on a piece of paper, came to life.

Our mission is to foster collaborative consulting, teaching, and service partnerships with NEA’s Leyaata Hospital. Our vision is for the Leyaata Hospital to be a fully equipped and sustainable centre of excellence in Northern Ghana. Now let me tell you what happened.

Tuesday morning, the midwives and I sat down to complete one final module in the Helping Babies Survive course called “Essential Care for Every Small Baby.” This course trains health professionals in low-resource settings to care for preterm babies. According to the WHO, preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death among children under five years of age, responsible for 1 million deaths in 2015. Three-quarters of these deaths can be prevented with current, cost-effective interventions.

No sooner had we opened our books when Dr. Ben announced an emergency, and you probably guess where I’m going with this. A woman with severe, life-threatening preeclampsia needed an emergency caesarean section. She was not due to deliver for 6-8 weeks. He asked our team to immediately prepare for twin premature babies. Instead of sitting in a classroom learning the course with a premature mannequin, Leyaata midwives had hands-on training with two real-life preterm babies needing help. Every bit of training they received last week with Dr. Anne and me was put to the test to save these babies. The equipment that we were trained on by Daniel and Charles (our Biomed team) was all set to use — incubators to keep the babies warm and CPAP machines to help the babies breathe. Daniel and Charles made multiple trips to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) to support the medical team and ensure every piece of equipment (being used for the first time) was working perfectly for these delicate babies. Our pharmacy partners were on site, too, helping calculate doses of life-saving medications. Dr. Anne, back home in the UK, was on my speed dial and through WhatsApp video, she was able to coach us during some critical moments.

At about 9:00 pm, I sat with our exhausted team — Dr. Ben, Dr. Mercy, Abraham, and Ernestina to review the current situation. Leyaata midwives are doing their job — resuscitating babies and recognizing danger signs in the first hours of life. The Leyaata NICU is well-equipped thanks to Tim Beacons’ team at Medical Aid International in the UK. Leyaata midwives and medical staff are so smart and so motivated that they are quickly learning how to use this life-saving equipment to support dying babies. Leyaata is already becoming a centre of excellence here in Northern Ghana, and they have barely opened their doors.

Our NICU equipment from MAI.
Emmanuel came to help our midwives in the NICU.
Midwife Thecla
And that is how you prepare for premature twins!

Those who read my book will recall my professional nightmare ten years ago when working in a large hospital in Ghana (Chapter 18: Who Am I?) It involved a baby just like the babies we cared for today. It involved a hospital ill-equipped and ill-trained to deal with a critically ill baby. It involved a horrific ambulance transfer with a dying baby to a regional hospital that was no better prepared to help. Dr. Ben and I were working together that fateful day — a decade ago — and today, we are standing shoulder to shoulder with one monumental difference. We are now standing in the Leyaata NICU with a partnership team that is growing by the day.

My breath feels stuck in my chest when I realize the magnitude of what is happening here. The vision is crystal clear to all of us. I am so grateful to my GHP team, who are stepping way outside their comfort zone every day in the lab, the pharmacy, the biomed, and the nursing wards to support and learn from our incredible colleagues here. The commitment of this international group of healthcare professionals inspires me, gives me courage, and helps me continue to find answers to the question, “Who Am I?” Even today, Dr. Charlie (who returned home to work on Monday) presented Grand Rounds over Google Teams for our Ghanaian colleagues. He had barely landed in Canada and is back with us virtually to transfer knowledge and skills.

Dr. Ben’s OR checklist.
Dermatology rounds with Dr. Charlie from Uxbridge.
This was the patient care board at Uxbridge Hospital for many years. Perfect for Leyaata!
Registration
Laundry facilities.
Working Lunch
Sometimes it pays to get old(er). All day coffee!
Dessert
Justina, the lead cook, with her new necklace.
Chief of security wearing her new necklace that Erin made.

I have one more story from today, but I cannot bear to tell it yet. I pray that circumstances will soon allow me to conclude this 2023 GHP mission by sharing this tale with you.

Dr. Jennifer Wilson
DR. JENNIFER WILSON
MD CCFP (EM) DIM&PH FCFP
Director of International Partnerships Canadian Consultant for Family & Emergency Medicine
Leyaata Hospital, Carpenter, Ghana