Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Ghana’s second largest referral facility, has been designated by the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) as its African Regional Centre for modern anaesthesia training.

The University of Ulm, Germany with support from Else Kroner-fresenius Stiftung, had already donated two ultrasound imaging machines to support the training programme.

The installation of modern ultrasound machines had resulted in the adoption of new technologies in anaesthesia administration at the hospital.

Dr. Akwasi Antwi-Kusi, Coordinator of the Training Project, said the facility was making strong progress in the use of technology for the practice of medicine, which was safer, cheaper and convenient to patients.

The ultrasound machine helps to detect, identify nerves and administer anaesthesia without putting the patient to sleep or pain.

He was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an international workshop on “Ultrasound guided regional blocks” held in Kumasi for doctors and anaesthetists drawn from Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.

It was jointly organized by the Faculty of Anaestheia, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and the University of Ulm.

Dr. Antwi-Kusi said “KATH has taken the lead” and expressed confidence that the training programme would build the capacities of doctors and nurses to ensure sound administration of anaesthesia during surgery.

Dr. Joseph Akpaloo, the Chief Executive of the Hospital, said the programme, the first of its kind in West Africa, was helping to push the facility towards achieving its dream of a centre of excellence in health care delivery in Africa.

He said the desire to provide quality services to patients was gradually being realized through the provision of modern and specialized services.

Professor Dr. Ernst Pfenninger, Lead Facilitator from the University of Ulm, said doctors and anaesthetists could not continue to be trained without the use of the appropriate equipment.

The University would continue to strengthen its collaboration with KATH to improve health care in Ghana, he added.