A delegation from the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), has paid a working visit to the Nyaho Medical Centre in Accra on Tuesday October 19, 2021.
The delegation, which was led by Prof. Gordon Awandare -Director of WACCBIP, and accompanied by other scientists from WACCBIP, was there as part of a familiarization tour of the medical facility, and to explore avenues for future collaborations by way of identifying and carrying out research to fight against both communicable and non-communicable tropical diseases in Ghana and beyond.
Welcoming the WACCBIP team to the Centre, Dr. Benjamin Tetteh Mensah, Head of Diagnostics at the Nyaho Medical Centre expressed his delight for the visit. He said that the Centre’s collaboration with WACCBIP is an excellent opportunity for both institutions to bring onboard unique skills required to achieve common goals and solve a variety of problems.
“We were excited when we heard of a WACCBIP collaboration. We have a huge expectation and basically know very well that some of us have also been in some form of research before joining Nyaho. So, we know the flavour and how it looks like and are keen on listening to what you bring on board. We have an academic unit, and a faculty that is running. We have specialists that make use of the faculty, and the laboratory works together with these specialists.”
Nyaho Medical Centre was established in March 1970 by the late Dr Kwami Nyaho Tamaklo whose vision at its inception was to provide top-notch services in nursing and general medical care in Ghana and beyond. The Centre has since committed to an intensive focus on patient care while introducing international best practice in healthcare delivery in Ghana. Nyaho Medical Centre also aims to establish a modern state-of-the- art private hospital equipped to provide the highest standards of health care services to the Ghanaian public.
Highlighting the importance of the visit, Dr Gerhard Ofori-Amankwah – Divisional Lead for Primary Care and Postgraduate Training at the Nyaho Medical Centre echoed the importance of private medical facilities acknowledging the relevance of research.
“I am very happy because this is a private facility that has discovered the importance of research. Gone are the days where you just sit in your little corner and expect that word-of-mouth carries what you do.”; Dr. Ofori- Amankwah said. He added that “Our facility, through good research, can attract funding, grants and can place itself as a centre of learning; and project what it does in such a way that people from all walks of life can come and make an impact.”
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On his part, Prof. Gordon Awandare explained the mandate of WACCBIP and stressed that the best research comes about when doctors observe happenings and bring scientists on board.
“We are honoured to be received here. This is a historic institution and my family, and I have used this facility before. This could be a fruitful collaboration. We always see hospitals as a place where we can go and work with our ideas but is also a place where ideas can come from.”, Prof Awandare Said. He continued and said that “The best research comes about when doctors observe things that are going on and bring Scientists on board. Together, we generate new knowledge that helps your practice and helps our careers as well.” Discussions on COVID-19 emerged as the topmost burning issue on the table and constituted an area of common interest for the two teams to begin to collaborate on.
The other members of the WACCBIP team included Prof. Neils Ben Quashie, Prof. Osbourne Quaye, Dr Lydia Mosi, Dr. Lucas Amenga-Etego, Dr. Yaw Aniweh, Dr Peter Quashie, Dr. Lily Paemka, Dr. Oduro Mensah and Dr Koby Sarpong. The team was taken on a tour of the main facility and various laboratories of the centre.
