The University Health Services (UHS) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has reaffirmed its commitment to quality healthcare through a week-long surgical and training mission conducted in partnership with the Reach Foundation of the United States.
The Director of the University Health Services, Dr Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng, said the closing session provided an opportunity to review activities carried out from Monday to Friday under the partnership between the University Health Services and the Reach Foundation.
He said the collaboration, which is centred at the University Hospital, builds on a commitment made during the foundation's inaugural visit last year.
"We are here to review what has happened, receive feedback from our team, and assess the impact of the activities undertaken this week," he said.
Dr Kofi Asare-Bawuah, President of the Reach Foundation, thanked the hospital's leadership and staff for their hospitality and professionalism throughout the mission.
"This is our second visit, and I believe it has gone even better than the first. We have enjoyed working alongside your team, and while there is always room for improvement, we have made significant progress together," he said.
He commended both the Ghanaian and American teams for dedicating considerable time and resources to the programme and expressed optimism about future collaborations.
Dr Tim Woods, a laparoscopic surgeon from the United States, described the experience as professionally and personally rewarding, highlighting the value of international medical collaboration.
"As surgeons, we have the privilege of sharing knowledge across borders. The opportunity to work alongside your surgeons, exchange ideas, and witness the commitment of your team has been truly inspiring," he said.
Dr Woods praised the operating theatre staff for welcoming the visiting team and noted significant progress in laparoscopic surgery since the previous year's mission.
He said the ability to perform laparoscopic procedures while simultaneously training local clinicians represented a major achievement.
"The progress we've seen in just one week has been remarkable," he said. "We've identified areas where we can continue building capacity, and we look forward to documenting these achievements."
Kelleen Woods, a nursing student from the United States, described the experience as eye-opening and said she appreciated the opportunity to work in the operating theatre and learn about healthcare delivery in Ghana.
"I've learned so much from working alongside your team and experiencing your culture. It has been an unforgettable opportunity," she said.
Local clinicians also praised the partnership for its emphasis on mentorship rather than service delivery alone.
The hospital's leadership commended the donation of essential medical supplies and equipment by the visiting team, saying the items would improve patient care and help address shortages of critical consumables.
The week-long mission concluded with renewed confidence that the collaboration is strengthening surgical capacity while deepening international cooperation between the University Health Services and the Reach Foundation.
Story: Akosua Konadu Bandoh
