Virtue Foundation volunteer obstetricians/gynecologists visit Tumu Hospital to examine patients and plan long-term collaboration for women’s health in northern Ghana.

As part of the Virtue Foundation Institute for Innovation and Philanthropy in Ghana’s Healthcare Initiative, Professor Egarter and Dr. Nouri, specialists from the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine at the University Hospital, Vienna, visited Tumu to examine patients, assess the reproductive and maternal health situation and plan for long-term evidence-based interventions to improve women’s health in the region.

The team examined dozens of patients in two days while learning more from the local population and medical professionals about the various resources and needs in Tumu. While the team were very impressed by the medical staff and Tumu Hospital physician-director, they also felt the needs were quite considerable.

In order to address these needs and to reduce the unacceptably high number of obstetric and gynecological emergencies in the region, the Virtue Foundation team recommended instituting a preventive women’s health program. For instance, the team proposed planning awareness campaigns focusing on early pregnancy detection in order to ensure adequate antenatal care for pregnant women. Then, alongside prevention and education efforts, specialists could acquire the necessary equipment and supplies and visit the community periodically to conduct medical teaching missions to transfer skills to local medical professionals.

These and other dedicated Virtue Foundation volunteer specialists plan to return to Tumu in the near future to implement their data-driven initiatives.