The Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation (GPSF) as part of its annual conferences held each year, has held its 2017 event under the theme, “New and re-emerging infectious disease and global health security – the role of African Diaspora”. The conference attracted distinguished speakers from the USA and Africa. The second lady of Ghana, Mrs. Samira Bawumia was the guest of honour and she graced the occasion.
The Keynote speaker, Dr. Badu Sarkodie, spoke on the Ghana experience with new and reemerging infectious disease whilst Dr. Chastity walker of the CDC presented on “Global Health security agenda of the CDC” and Dr. Rachel Idowu of CDC Africa based in Ethiopia discussed the role of African diaspora in healthcare security.
The delegation from Ghana was headed by the Director General of Ghana Health Service, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Aare. The rector of the GCPS, professor Jacob Plangue-Rhule, The CEO of the University Of Ghana Medical Center Professor Aaron Lawson, the director of the GMDC, Dr. Eli Atipui, Dr. Ken Sagoe, a consultant in the health service, and the vice president of the GMA, Dr. Frank Ankobea. The abled discussants tackled the challenges of the control and eradication of infectious diseases and strategies for the elimination of emerging infectious disease in Africa.
The Ghana Physician and Surgeon Foundation (GPSF) is an organization of Ghanaian medical professionals residing in the US and Canada who are committed to working towards improved healthcare delivery in Ghana.
The organization is registered in the United States, incorporated in Delaware and its core mission is to support the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS), an institution established by an act of parliament in 2003 to provide quality postgraduate medical education in Ghana.
The GPSF has played an advocacy role for improving healthcare delivery, influencing health policy and healthcare education issues and challenges in Ghana. The foundation collaborates with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS), Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Ghana Medical and Dental council (GMDC) and Ministry of Health (MOH) in pursuit of their mission.
The foundation has been able to make remarkable achievements since its formation. They have been able to donate over $200k worth of supplies to the Tarkwa hospital and over $500k to the Hope Xchange hospital in Kumasi.
They have also supported travel fellowships for 2-3 residents of the college to the Yale school global initiative program for the past 3 years and have advocated and implemented Memorandums with the Ministry of health/Ghana Health Services/Ghana Medical and Dental Council.
According to them, they “hope to finalize and implement a resolution to make it easier to achieve our commitment to returning home to collaborate with teachers, researchers and clinicians in various clinical settings in private, public and teaching hospitals.”
Source: ritefmonline.org
