Ever since I found out that Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, a German-trained Cardiothoracic surgeon had returned to Ghana and founded a cardiothoracic center at Korle-Bu in the 90’s, I have been intrigued. You see, I am what some people describe as a Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist – I put patients who need heart surgery to sleep so people like Dr Frimpong-Boateng can operate on them.
Intrigued because it takes a lot to set up such a center and the upkeep is rather expensive. My dear Ghana is not exactly wealthy and the country has other pressing problems. Even though sub-Saharan Africa has it’s share of heart diseases, especially congenital, I didn’t see the leadership in Ghana backing him.
Intrigued because knowing how Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is, I doubted if anyone could set up something of that caliber and keep it going.
Intrigued because if I ever decided to go back to Ghana, I may actually have somewhere to practice my craft.
Myself and most Ghanaians looked on unbelievably as Prof Frimpong-Boateng was removed as head of the Center last year by the government, in what most see as retaliation for him showing support for the opposition NPP party. The reason the government gave was his age. The retirement age for public servants in Ghana is 60. He was 61. I would understand if Ghana was crawling with heart surgeons and the dear professor was incapable of operating. Like we all know, there are less than 10 active heart surgeons in Ghana and the professor is NOT senile, demented or has the shakes. He is neither on drugs nor is he an alcoholic. In other words, HE CAN STILL OPERATE!
Anyway, I had always wanted to visit the center and meet the man. Imagine my excitement when a good friend put me in touch me with one of the surgeons who works at the center, Dr Frank Edwin. We talked on the phone and planned to meet when I next visited Ghana.
I was in Ghana these last two weeks and took Dr Frank Edwin on his offer. I walked into the center one morning not knowing what to expect. I trained in Germany and the US and now work in the US. My active practice involves working with cardiothoracic surgeons more than half the time since 2000. I think I am in the position to say that what Prof Frimpong-Boateng built, without any help from the Ghanaian government is nothing short of amazing.
My plan was to spend only about an hour with Dr Edwin.
We were going to look at possible collaborations.
I ended up staying close to 4 hours.
I spoke with the the other surgeons, cardiologists and anesthesiologists.
There is a dedication that is palpable, contagious and refreshing.
I didn’t get to meet Prof Frimpong-Boateng but I witnessed his work and I was impressed.
The center is no gleaming edifice of glass and steel.
It is rather a bland-looking concrete structure with the bare necessities, run efficiently by men and women with dedication and vision.
There are two operating rooms with all one needs for cardiac, thoracic and vascular procedures.
There is a 6-bed intensive care unit where an anesthesiologist or surgeon is available round the clock.
It is a 17-man team of surgeons, cardiologists and anesthesiologist who care for the patient first and everything else later.
They use old, I mean old, echocardiography machines to capture images.
They take the little they get and MAXIMIZE it – note: MAXIMIZE!
These are highly trained men and women who could earn six-figure salaries in the US making about $2000 a month.
If one man with a vision could get this done without any help for the government in Ghana, what excuse do we have as a nation?
The rooms are clean and organized.
There is not a feeling of apathy and despondence that is pervasive in Korle-Bu.
The doctors order their own supplies, cutting out the bureaucracy and middlemen that is the hallmark of business in Ghana.
The therefore get their supplies when they need them and at much lower prices than the rest of Korle-Bu.
They take care of their equipment and keep them working.
They have a budget they stick to.
They plan for the future.
They are proactive.
To help out patients financially, Prof Frimpong-Boateng started a foundation.
Some patients are brought in, fed for 2 weeks to get them strong enough for surgery, operated on, taken care of postoperatively and even given money for the trip home!
Kidney failure needing dialysis is a possible complication after some heart operations.
When he realized the Renal Unit at Korle-Bu couldn’t help him out, he got his own dialysis unit!
Tetralogy of Fallot, lung cancer, coronary artery disease, carotid disease, valve diseases? No problem! Bring them over. Chest trauma? One patient in the intensive care unit had survived gun shot wounds to the chest thanks to the center!
All this is due to the vision of one man – Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng.
Did he overreach by wading into politics? – maybe.
However, can you blame him if in his heart he thought he could do more for the nation than the clowns otherwise known as leaders who are riding around in SUVs? – NO!
Was the way he was treated fair?
To answer that, I’ll let every Ghanaian spend a day at the Cardio Center, hear it’s history and let them answer that.
I have my answer.
As I left, I was filled with mixed emotions.
Happy that it is possible.
That as a nation, we can do it.
Sad that when we see someone do it, we don’t even recognize it, appreciate it, emulate it.
Sad that a man could sacrifice so much for his nation and still be cast aside like an old shoe without a word of thanks.
May God bless Ghana with visionaries like him and the ability to appreciate them.