By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In association with the Ministry of Health, Sierra Leone, Choithram Memorial Hospital has collaborated with Max Healthcare in India to conduct a two day workshop on the theme: “Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery”, from the 5th to 6th August, 2023 at the hospital premises on Hill Station in the West End of Freetown. The workshop will be the prelude or forerunner of the introduction of unprecedented use of the equipment in the country by Choithram Memorial Hospital.
This two day workshop is set to target medical personnel from various Government medical facilities, teaching institutions and private practitioners with the cardinal aim of transferring knowledge to them on how to use the equipment for diagnosing and performance of surgical procedures.
It must be noted that Choithram Memorial Hospital, which had been classified and rated as one of the best private medical facilities in Sierra Leone, administering cutting edge and professional medical treatments to numerous patients of all ages, is now on the verge of commencing the use of Laparoscopic Equipment for the performance of different types of surgery.
This latest move, on the part of the Management of the medical facility is in pursuance of its endeavour to utilize up to date technology and equipment in the timely delivery of qualitative medical treatments to individuals within the country.
Out of the objective of translating ambitious plans of bringing medical treatment up to speed, Choithram Memorial Hospital, recently went the extra mile to procure the Laparoscopic Equipment, which indisputably is the first of its kind in the whole country. This medium was reliably informed that with the introduction of the use of the Laparoscopic Equipment, the period of time patients will be hospitalized for recovery will drastically reduce.
It must be underscored that there are two types of surgery, Open & Minimally invasive Laparoscopic. Open surgery refers to the cutting of skin and tissues so that the surgeon has a full view of the structures or organs involved. On the other hand, minimally invasive surgery, is any technique involved in surgery that does not require a large incision.
As the workshop is in progress, surgeries will be performed by Dr. Atul Wadhwa, the Laparoscopic General Surgeon at Max Healthcare, India and Dr. Mustapha S. Kabba, Consultant & General Surgeon Connaught and Choithram Hospitals.
In order to make it convenient for the targeted beneficiaries of the workshop, the surgeries performed, will be streamed live in the Conference Room of the Choithram Memorial Hospital.
Worthy of note is that in addition to the transfer of knowledge, Dr. Atul will also be busy with consultation by dealing with patients who have already been screened and selected by Dr M.S Kabba. All surgeries done during the workshop will be free to the patients as Management of the hospital will bear the cost of the surgeries.
According to Dr. Gowrinath M. George, Medical Superintendent of Choithram Memorial Hospital, they are passionate about using the latest technology in treating patients, further maintaining that such will save people the hassle and expenses of seeking advanced medical treatment out of the country and more especially make room for greater accessibility to good medical attention and care.
“This latest move on our part syncs with our commitment to the Ministry of Health of our country,” Dr. George further intimated.
Harish Agnani, Chief Administrator of Choithram Group in the Country pointed out that they are committed to bringing in experts that do not only administer treatments but also transfer knowledge to doctors in the country; stressing that it is in line with their efforts of building local skills and capacities to take it forward by continuing the provision of specialized and profession medical treatments to people of all ages and backgrounds.
