By Ibrahim Sorie Koroma, Senior Health Education Officer-HEP/MoH
Sierra Leone has witnessed a groundbreaking advancement in its healthcare system with laparoscopic surgeries now conducted for the first time for different gynecological conditions by a group of gynecologists at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH), says Dr. Amadu Sesay, Medical Superintendent at the PCMH.
Dr. Sesay said that the advancement was made possible with the recent installation of a brand new state-of-the-art laparoscope; a medical equipment that allows minimally invasive surgery, also known as keyhole surgery or minimal access surgery. “Basically, with this equipment, surgeons including gynecologists are able to perform surgical operations and procedures without the need to make big incisions/ cuts to access deep body structures while operating…..he continued, only tiny (keyhole) incisions about the size of the diameter of a finger are made to accommodate the fiber- optic instruments. Dr. Sesay Added.
The Medical Superintendent reiterated that with the new medical technology, surgeons now have the opportunity to perform operation while looking at the monitor-screens as the images of the internal organs and structures are displayed for proper view and critical lifesaving analysis. “This pioneering initiative marks a crucial milestone in the country’s healthcare landscape, particularly in obstetrics and genecology within public facilities….. he added, it would ensure that patients receive the highest available quality care and boost the skills and competencies of specialists as well as trainees in the area of minimally invasive surgery” Dr. Sesay Assured.
While talking on the benefits of the new technology, Dr. Sesay said that the introduction of laparoscopic surgeries at PCMH signifies the shift to minimally invasive procedures, which offer numerous benefits, including reduced recovery times, less pain, and lower risks of complications. This advancement is particularly significant in a public facility, where access to such specialized care was previously limited, adding that it would improve gynecological care as well as diagnostics and health outcomes.
Dr. Sesay acknowledged the collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex (USLTHC), the PCMH Management, and Doctors with Africa or CUAMM in attaining this groundbreaking milestone in healthcare service delivery in Sierra Leone.
“The introduction of laparoscopic surgeries at PCMH is a testament to the transformative healthcare agenda in Sierra Leone and ushered a new era of maternal and reproductive health by elevating the standards, underscoring the country’s dedication to providing accessible and quality healthcare services” Dr. Sesay Assured.
