Wessex-Ghana Stroke Partnership

Posted on 04. Jun, 2010 by Rach in Health Links

About the Link

Chronic and non-communicable diseases, for example hypertension, stroke and diabetes, have become significant health problems in Ghana. Indeed, stroke disease is now in the top five causes of death in nationally (6% of all deaths; preceded by HIV/AIDS, malaria, lower respiratory infections and perinatal conditions). In the Greater Accra region, it is believed that stroke is now the second largest cause of death, preceded only by malaria. Stroke therefore causes significant burden to patients, their families, healthcare professionals, health services and wider society.

Having previously worked in Ghana and experienced such problems first hand, Dr Claire Spice (Portsmouth Hospital NHS Trust) and Dr Hetty Asare (Ridge Hospital, Accra) planned the first stage of a co-operative developmental initiative between Ghanaian and UK health services. Over the past 2 years, a project group within the Wessex Region has been established, and in March 2009 a multidisciplinary team from this group made an initial visit to Ghana. During this visit the team collaborated with colleagues in Accra to review local services for people with stroke, assist with service planning and provide multidisciplinary education and training through both formal workshops and practical case-based problem solving. The various meetings and workshops resulted in an agreement by senior staff to establish West Africa’s first stroke unit.

It is hoped that ongoing collaboration, including further visits and reciprocal visits by Ghanaian professionals to the UK, will help to support future developments and lead to sustained change.

Fields of work

Nursing
Therapies

Current Activities

The Link is currently planning a second visit to Accra – it is hoped that this will take place in Autumn 2010. During the first year of this project (2008/09), activities focused on laying the foundations for establishing the Link, including an initial scoping visit to Accra. In the coming year, we hope to take this forward with a second follow up visit to Accra. The main aim of this second visit is to identify the priority needs for core stroke care development and to jointly agree a written action plan, including formalisation and agreement of responsibilities of each project partner.

It is also hoped that one member of the group (the therapist) will remain in Ghana for an extended period of time, during which she will work within the hospital and therapy departments to support the development of care in these priority areas.

We have been awarded an International Health Links Funding Scheme Small Grant (£3000) as well as a British Medical Association Humanitarian Fund Grant (£1800) which will support this visit, and are in the process of exploring other avenues for further funding.

In addition, we are building publicity and awareness of the Link both locally and nationally. This has included the sharing of our experiences so far at various forums, including the Wessex International Group and the UK Stroke Forum (poster presentation in December 2009).

Link Requests

Financial support for future visits.

Contact Details

Dr Claire Spice
Consultant Physician, Medicine for Older People

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill, Cosham, PO6 3LY
02392 286 923
claire.spice@porthosp.nhs.uk

Ghana

Dr Hetty Asare
Physician Specialist

Ridge Regional Hospital
Castle Road
Ridge
Accra, GHANA

Dr Albert Akpalu
Consultant Neurologist

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
Guggisberg Ave
Korle Gonno
Accra, GHANA

http://southernstrokeforum.org/ghana.html