The two days’ workshop which was exclusively designed to equipped surgeons and aspiring medical students from Government medical facilities, teaching hospitals, and private practitioners with the skills and knowledge in using laparoscopic equipment for diagnostics and surgical procedures was held at the Choithram Memorial Hospital on Hill Station in Freetown.
On Saturday 5th August, 2023 which happens to be one day of the work shop relates to the inaugural ceremony of “Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery,” a revolutionary surgical technique in the country which was attended by the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Dr. Mustapha S. Kabba, the Medical Superintendent of Choithram Hospital, Dr. Gowrinath M. George, the Laparoscopic Surgeons, Staff of the Choithram Hospital and the media.
Following the inaugural ceremony of “Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery was a free treatment being offered for Oncology/Hematology and Orthopedic complications. Individuals with various malignancies, joint problems, and spine disorders were attended to by leading specialists from MAX Super Specialty Hospital, Dr. Nagender Sharma and Dr. Akshay Kumar Saxena. They also offered free expert consultation sessions in Oncology/Hematology and Orthopedics, respectively.
Speaking duringthe inaugural ceremony, the Medical Superintendent for Choithram Memorial Hospital, Dr. Gowrinath M. George, said the introduction of the Invasive Laparoscopic Surgeryin the country underscores Choithram Memorial Hospital’s commitment to improving quality healthcare delivery in Sierra Leone, aiming to bridge the gap in medical services and make healthcare more accessible.
He however, expressed the hospital’s dedication to the Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone, emphasizing the importance of bringing specialized experts to provide pro bono medical treatments for patients who may not have the means to seek treatment abroad.
Dr. Gowrinath M. George noted as part of the introduction of the Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery will also include workshop geared towards equipping surgeons and aspiring medical students from Government medical facilities, teaching hospitals, and private practitioners with the skills and knowledge in using laparoscopic equipment for diagnostics and surgical procedures.
The Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Dr. Mustapha S. Kabba, described the event as a historic ceremony towards the health sector in the country.
He said that the Ministry of Health advocated for it and now they are impressed that the new technology coming into the country, adding that the Ministry is working to ensure that it be sustained and maintained and established within the healthcare system of the country.
The Laparoscopic General Surgeon, Dr. Atul Wadhwa from Max Healthcare, India said during the event they provided free expert consultations to pre-screened patients, ensuring that specialized medical attention is available without any financial burden. All surgeries conducted during the event were entirely free of cost, generously covered by the Choithram Hospital Management.
He said that as Laparoscopic surgeons they are very pleased to share their ideas with aspiring medical students from Government medical facilities, teaching hospitals, and private practitioners with the skills and knowledge in using laparoscopic equipment for diagnostics and surgical procedures.
Giving the keynote address, the Minister of Health, Austin Demby, expressed appreciation to the Choithram Memorial Hospital for the introduction of the Laparoscopic survey in the country. He described the ceremony has a historic and mark a crucial milestone in the country’s medical landscape.
He said that the President His Excellency Julius Maada Bio believes that health is a critical component in human capital development, adding that the ingredient of building a solid nation includes an educated, healthy, food secure populace and solid infrastructure of which he said the President has committed towards those ingredients.
The Minister said the government believes that health-care activities are not a one side but with the strong investment in the private sector of which he said the government creates room for complementing the private sector.
Austin Demby said that technology is moving on and the populace is growing so Sierra Leone as a country can afford to use 1950s, 1960s and 1970s technology to be able to address 2023 and beyond issues but however noted that now is the time to raise the bar for healthcare development in country of which he further thanked Choithram Hospital for the introduction of the Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery and the workshop to train locals in using laparoscopic equipment.
“Adding the Laparoscopic Surgery to the many facilities you have already makes me as a Minister of Health very happy and comfortable, makes Sierra Leoneans comfortable that they have Laparoscopic Surgery at the Choithram Hospital in Country” he maintained.
He concluded by reaffirming the government of Sierra Leone support to the hospital.
Harish Agnani, Chief Administrator of Choithram Memorial Hospital, highlighted the hospital’s commitment to adopting the latest and most advanced medical equipment to ensure accurate and effective treatments for patients. He reiterated that patient welfare remains the hospital’s top priority, and every effort is made to provide timely and professional medical attention.
He noted that Choithram Memorial Hospital’s collaborative efforts with Max Healthcare and the Ministry of Health reflect a commendable initiative to elevate healthcare standards and provide specialized medical care to those in need within Sierra Leone.
Closing the inaugural ceremony of the Laparoscopic Surgery was a vote of thanks by the Gynecologist Specialist of the Choithram Hospital, Dr. Feba Panda who expressed appreciation to the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby and other dignitaries for gracing the ceremony.
On Sunday, August 6, 2023, a press conference marked the conclusion of an impactful two-day workshop, where specialist doctors shared their expertise and groundbreaking medical advancements. The highlight of the event was the live surgeries performed by distinguished Laparoscopic General Surgeon, Dr. Atul Wadhwa from Max Healthcare, India, and the highly skilled Dr. Mustapha S. Kabba, Consultant & General Surgeon at Connaught Government Hospital and Choithram Memorial Hospital.
The inaugural ceremony also introduced an innovative initiative – “Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery,” which aimed to revolutionize medical practices. As part of this endeavor, a free treatment session was offered for Oncology/Hematology and Orthopedic complications. Patients with various malignancies, joint problems, and spine disorders received expert care from leading specialists, Dr. Nagender Sharma and Dr. Akshay Kumar Saxena, from MAX Super Specialty Hospital.
The workshop not only provided valuable learning experiences for participants but also promoted knowledge-sharing among medical professionals. The live streaming of surgeries in the hospital’s Conference Room enabled attendees to witness the cutting-edge techniques and gain insights from the experts.
The event’s success demonstrated the commitment of the medical community to advancing healthcare practices and offering free treatments to those in need. It served as a platform for collaboration and innovation, leaving a positive impact on the field of medicine and patient care.
