Embarking on a journey to northern Ghana for the 2^nd time in January 2020 was a rewarding experience. Although every trip is a medical mission, every visit is also unique in terms of experiences and challenges. The opportunity was made possible by Ghana Association for Medical Aid which holds trips annually to serve the underserved people of Ghana.

The northern part of the country is predominantly Muslim. Cultural factors that influenced health were evident. Medical visits were held in community hospitals which was convenient in a sense. Patients were able to get examined in traditional exam rooms. Pharmacy was well organized in a room nearby. An x-ray room was in facility, which made it feasible to order x-rays and receive results in a few minutes. X-rays were reasonably priced at roughly 20 cedes per copy. The only challenge was lack of a radiologist, necessitating one to brush up on their radiology interpretation skills. Laboratory wasn’t functional – that would’ve been an excellent service. However, keep in a mind resources are limited in underserved areas.

General health of the pediatric population was decent. Oral health was excellent, very few had decayed teeth. A few serious conditions were seen. A 5-year-old child (whom grandma was the primary caretaker), had a loud systolic murmur with a palpable thrill, insinuating a tetralogy of fallot. This type necessitates surgery for treatment. Grandma stated she had been previously informed that she would have to fly to Europe or USA for surgery as it is not performed in Ghana (Africa). I was saddened by this statement. Why can’t African doctors perform or refer for lifesaving cardiac surgery? Are there no EDUCATED pediatric cardiologists on the continent? are they all in the diaspora? or is It because the child comes from an underserved community and money would be an issue? Does this therefore mean that the child has to suffer?

Grandma is very frail and elderly and is the primary caretaker and can barely keep up. I prayed for this child. I laid my hand over his chest wall and prayed for divine healing. Issues such as this serve as motivation all the more to transform the state of healthcare in underserved Africa.

A 15-year-old male, with chronic hepatitis B, had had a wound on lower leg for about a year, treated unsuccessfully with traditional medicine. When he came to the clinic, the wound was covered in a big piece of leaf. Underneath was charcoal-like substance which is said to contain healing properties. We undressed the wound and cleansed it with saline. After expressing pus and cleansing, applied topical antimicrobial and dispensed oral antibiotics. The teenager then asked for “hepatitis B medicine” before leaving. We informed him that he would have to have labs drawn and see specialist for treatment (tough to come by in the area!). This boy also lived with an extended family member who neglected his needs.

There was an infant with a thyroglossal cyst. Thus, whenever she cried, a bulging would be seen from her neck. Mom had consulted an herbalist who placed permanent traditional marks around the area of the bulge. However, this didn’t cure it (only cure is surgical intervention). These traditional markings are common in the northern area, but mostly done on the cheeks and forehead. Mom was advised against consulting herbalist in future as rarely are they successful though costing as much if not more than modern medicine. Child was otherwise healthy.

Overall hundreds were seen and treated over the cause of 4 days. Vitamins were distributed to all children, as well as dental care kits.