EWSOLLEGEC NVolume 8Number 2Dec. 2012 Newsletter of the GHANA COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS & SURGEONS

GHANA COLLEGE OFPHYSICIANS & SURGEONS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Pictures fromFIESTA 2012 - Pg. 2 & 3

Examinations - Pg. 4 CPDs - Pg. 5 News - Pg. 6

The 9th Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) of the College is scheduled to take place from Wednesday 28th to Friday 30thNovember 2012 at the College. The theme for the meeting is GROWING OLD IN GHANA – HEALTH AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS. There will be pre-conference workshops on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th November 2012 at the College. The opening ceremony for the meeting will be held on Wednesday 28th November 2012. The Guest of Honour for the event will be Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, with the Honourable Minister of Health, Mr. Alban Sumani Bagbin, as the Special Guest.

Induction CeremonyThe Induction of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons is a ceremony of tradition, transition, renewal, and celebration held in connection with the yearly scientific conference, the AGSM. It is at this ceremony that the College recognizes and applauds its new Fellows and Members. This year 31 newly elected Fellows, 2 newly qualified Fellows by examination, and 85 newly qualified Members will be inducted. The ceremony is conducted in full academic regalia.

College LectureThe 2012 Annual College Lecture will be delivered by Professor Stephen Owusu Kwankye - Executive Director, National Population Council Secretariat, Accra. The title of his lecture, like the theme of the conference, is “Growing Old in Ghana – Health and Economic Implications”.

The 2nd edition of the College's flagship CPD event, Medical Knowledge Fiesta, dubbed “Medical Knowledge Fiesta 2012 – Cutting Edge Updates for Medical Practice in Ghana” was held from Monday 6th to Thursday 9th August 2012. The activities coincided with the funeral arrangement and celebration of the Late President Professor Atta Mills and therefore the lectures and activities of the last day of the conference, 10th August, were rescheduled. The event was organized by the Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation of North America in collaboration with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Africa Partners Medical, and Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation. It was attended by over 400 physicians with 66 facilitating faculty. The College sponsored 20 residents from its various faculties to attend the conference. It was accredited for 25 CPD points by the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana and up to 33 prescribed credits by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

The Opening Ceremony of the conference was held on the first day and was chaired by Professor Sir George W. Brobby, President of the College. In his opening address, the Rector of the College – Professor David Ofori-Adjei, declared that the Medical Knowledge Fiesta has come to stay. The College has officially adopted it as one of its annual events. He commended the extraordinary collaboration between Ghanaian physicians in Ghana and the Diaspora in making the Fiesta possible. The keynote address was given by Professor Kwaku Ohene-Frempong, a member of GPSF. He reiterated the importance of continuing medical education for physicians in keeping with the spirit of the Hippocratic Oath. He charged attendees to strive for excellence and practice evidence-based medicine.

AGSM2012

2nd Edition of College's Flagship

CPD event, “Fiesta 2012”, held

cont’d on Pg. 2

College News, Vol.8 No.22

cont’d from Pg. 1

Pictures from Fiesta 2012

Group picture of participants at Fiesta 2012

Professor Ofori-Adjei receives award from Dr. Elijah Paintsil

Professors J. T. Anim (Editor) and A. A. Bruce-Tagoe (Former Editor) Professor J. Plange-Rhule (Vice Rector) with Dr. E. Appiah-Denkyira (Director-General of GHS)

Professor Ohene-Frempong receives award from Dr. Elijah Paintsil

There were plenary presentations in the morning, workshops in the afternoon, and track sessions during late afternoons. Both plenary and track sessions were specialty biased instead of themed.This year's conference had three new features:

1) The Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Postgraduate Medical Education Award: The maiden award recipients were: Professor Kwaku Ohene-Frempong and Professor David Ofori-Adjei for their uncompromising longstanding dedication to postgraduate medical education and research in Ghana.

2) Public Lectures: There were two public awareness lectures

given on August 6th and 8th. The first public lecture was on “Taking Care of the Prostate Gland.” The event was sponsored by Dr and Mrs Adade (USA) and their family in Ghana in the memory of their loved one, Mr. Kofi Brakatu, who died on December 23, 2011 at age 58 years from advanced prostate cancer, which was diagnosed very late. He was the former Chief United Nations Security Planning Advisor to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The family is committed to promoting public awareness on prostate cancer to avoid unnecessary deaths. The event was opened to the public and was moderated and chaired by Professor E.D. Yeboah, a world renowned urologist. The presenters were Drs E. Asante and M. Kyei both Urologists at the Korle Bu Teaching Hopsital. The second

College News, Vol.8 No.2 3

Professor D. Ofori-Adjei (Rector) with Dr. Henry Lawson (LOC Chair)

Dr. M. Opong-Kusi with Professor E.D. Yeboah at Prostate Public Lecture

Professor Ofori-Adjei, H.E. Judge Akua Kuenyehia, Dr. Sylvia Deganus and Dr. Kofi Effah at Cervical Cancer Public Lecture

L-R: Professors J. Plange-Rhule, P.K. Nyame, A.A. Bruce-Tagoe, D. Ofori-Adjei

Professor Brobby congratulates awardees

Dr. M. Kyei and Dr. E. Asante at Prostate Public Lecture

lecture was on an equally important and timely subject – “Cervical Cancer.” It was moderated by H. E. Judge Akua Kuenyehia, Vice-President of the International Criminal Court. The resource persons for this lecture were Dr Kofi Effah, Specialist Gynaecologist at Catholic Hospital, Battor and Dr Sylvia Deganus, Consultant Gynaecologist at the Tema General Hospital. Both public lectures were well attended and very interactive.

3) Special update on HIV: The Brown-University of Ghana Academic Partnership to Address HIV/AIDS in Ghana funded by the USAID and HED, USA sponsored a special update on HIV on August 8th, 2012. Topics discussed included “update on the HIV epidemic in Ghana”, “HIV and stigma”, HIV and the Law”, “elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV”, HIV treatment update”, “HIV and co-infections with hepatitis viruses”, and HIV and TB-coinfection”.The course directors were: Drs. Henry Lawson, Michael Opong-Kusi, Elijah Paintsil, and Professor David Ofori-Adjei.

The Planning Committee Members were: Dr Mark Awuku, Dr (Mrs)

Salome Bandoh, Mr Samora Cann, Dr Barbara Enstuah, Mrs Henrietta Ferguson-Laing, Dr Ama Fordwor-Koranteng, Dr Paul King, Professor Awewura Kwara, Dr Henry Lawson (Chairman, GH), Dr Ndidiamaka Musa, Dr Michael Opong-Kusi, Dr Abena Osei-Wusu, Dr Elijah Paintsil, Dr Grace Totoe, Dr Setorme Tsikata, Professor Thaddeus Ulzen, and Dr Ernest Yorke.

Sponsors: Adade Family, Connecticut, USA; Astra Zeneca, Accra, Ghana; Kingdom Books & Stationery Ltd, Accra, Ghana; New Hope Clinic, Aflao, Ghana; Norvatis, Accra, Ghana; and University of Ghana-Brown University Academic Partnership to address HIV/AIDS in Ghana (funded by USAID, and HED, USA).

The 3rd annual Continuing Medical Education Conference – Medical Knowledge Fiesta 2013 will take place in Kumasi, Ghana, from 16th to 20th September, 2013

College News, Vol.8 No.24

Part 1, Part II(Membership) & Fellowship ExaminationsThe Part 1, Part II (Membership) and Fellowship Examinations of the College were held from 10th to 12th September 2012. Theory papers were written at the College and the orals/practicals took place at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. The summary of the results are:

PART I (MEMBERSHIP)

EXAMINATIONS

Child Health

Anaesthesia

Child Health

Dental Surgery

Emergency Medicine

Family Medicine

Internal Medicine

Laboratory Medicine

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Public Health

Radiology

Dental Surgery

Family Medicine

Internal Medicine

Laboratory Medicine

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Psychiatry

Radiology

Surgery

Otorhinolaryngology

Ophthalmology

TOTAL

Faculty

Faculty

9

2

11

2

7

7

7

2

13

6

4

3

5

8

4

23

3

15

9

2

2

83

Sat

Sat

No. of Candidates

No. of Candidates

9

2

6

1

6

7

5

2

12

6

3

2

5

6

4

9

2

12

7

2

2

60

Passed

Passed

0

0

5

1

1

0

2

0

1

0

1

1

0

2

0

14

1

3

2

0

0

23

Failed

Failed

PART II (MEMBERSHIP)

Dental Surgery

Surgery

TOTAL

Radiation Oncology

Surgery

Ophthalmology

TOTAL

Faculty

1

2

3

1

20

5

87

Sat

No. of Candidates

1

1

2

1

11

4

66

Passed

0

1

1

0

9

1

21

Failed

FELLOWSHIP

External Examiners for September 2012 ExaminationsThe College recognises the need for appropriate systems for ensuring that quality is maintained in all aspects of the conduct of its examinations. The College has, since conducting its first Part II (Membership) examinations in 2007, always strived to bring in external examiners of high academic and professional standing to help in the conduct of its examinations. External examiners join their local counterparts to conduct theory, practical/clinical and oral examinations. At the end of the examinations, they each submit a report on the quality of the questions set, the conduct of the examinations, the performance of the candidates and suggestions on what improvements need to be effected to the Rector. The role of external examiners is vital both to ensuring the maintenance of high standards and to enabling us to demonstrate an independent verification of the high levels at which the College aims to provide education and training for our postgraduates.

A total of thirteen (13) external examiners and one (1) external observer, honoured the invitation. The College wishes to express its gratitude for the valued contribution of the following external examiners, who participated in the conduct of the September 2012 examinations, to the quality assurance process. 1. Professor Adetiloye Victor Radiology2. Professor Bede Ibe Paediatrics3. Prof. Ambrose Emeka Obiechina Dental Surgery4. Professor J. P. Shaba Dental Surgery5. Dr. Darryl Ross Wood Emergency 6. Dr. Pamela Rockwell Family Medicine7. Prof. Effiong Essien Udo Akang Lab Medicine (Pathology)8. Dr. Joseph, Dele Emmanuel Lab Medicine (Haematology)9. Professor RotimiFakeye Obstetrics & Gynaecology10.Professor A. TwumBoafo Obstetrics & Gynaecology

(Observer)11.Prof. Ronke Baiyeroju Ophthalmology 12.Dr. Khin San Tint Public Health13.Prof. King-David Terna Yawe Surgery14.Dr. OlawumiPopoola Surgery

College News, Vol.8 No.2 5

The 5th batch of residents admitted to undertake the College's senior residency training programme, which constitutes the second tier of training, leading to the qualification of Fellowship (FGCP/FGCS) will commence their training in January 2013. Sixty-twograduates of the Colleges' Membership programme have been offered places to pursue various fellowship programmes. Their distribution among the faculties is:

A new batch of residents were enrolled into the various residency training programmes of the College in October 2012 at the two major teaching hospitals in the country. A total of 133 doctors, representing a 29.12% increase over last year's intake of 103, were offered places to start specialist training. Their distribution among the Faculties and the training centres are:

2012 Residency Programme

2013 Fellowship Programme

Faculty

Anaesthesia

Dental Surgery

Emergency Medicine

Family Medicine

Internal Medicine

Laboratory Medicine

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Paediatrics & Child Health

Psychiatry

Public Health

Radiation Oncology

Radiology

Surgery (General)

Surgery (Ophthalmology)

Surgery (ORL)

-

1

-

4

8

3

15

5

-

-

2

8

12

-

3

61

2

-

9

5

6

-

11

1

-

-

1

4

6

1

1

47

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

23

-

-

-

-

-

23

2

1

9

9

14

3

26

6

2

23

3

12

18

1

4

133

GCPSAccra Psych.Hospital

Korle - Bu Komfo Anokye Total

FACULTY

Anaesthesia

Dental Surgery

General Surgery

Orthopaedic / Trauma

Urology

Paediatrics Surgery

Plastic Surgery

Neurology

Cardiothoracic

Ophthalmology

Otorhinolaryngology

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Total

GCPS

4

3

4

3

5

-

7

2

1

-

1

7

37

TOTAL

The faculty of family medicine held a two-day update course on the theme “Healthcare for difficult-to-reach families” on 20th and 21st June 2012 at the college.

Topics: Overview of the difficult- to -reach families; The Nomadic Family; Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC);Health Challenges of Families in the Riverine Communities; The Dysfunctional Family; Family with a Problem Child; Impact of the Health plans of Local Government Authorities (LGA) on families; Physical& Mental Challenges of Institutionalised Persons; Psychological& Economic Implications of Drug Addiction; Health Challenges of families in Rural & Remote Communities; Dynamics and Coping Mechanisms of Refugees and Internally displaced persons.

Facilitators:Drs. J. B. Asare, D. Nortey, H. Lawson, D. Annan-Nanka-Bruce, A. Essuman, A. Yawson, Nyarko-Mensah, N. Akumia, Odoi-Agyarko L. Ofosu, and Odoi-Mensah.

HEALTHCARE FOR DIFFICULT-TO-REACH FAMILIES

CPDs

cont on Pg. 6

College News, Vol.8 No.26

The Faculty of Internal Medicine organised a two-day workshop on “Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics” on 4th and 5th July 2012at the college.

Topics: Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacogenomics; Drug Development; Clinical Trials and Pharmcovigilance; Rational Prescribing and Rational Use of Medicines; Combating Anti-Microbial Resistance; Current management of Diabetes; Hypertension; Heart Failure; Menopause; Endocrine disorders and Renal Disease; Drugs and the Eye

Facilitators: Professors Adjepon-Yamoah, David Ofori-Adjei, Drs. Alex Dodoo, Yaw Ofori-Adjei, George Obeng-Adjei, Albert Akpalu, Dwomoa Adu, Kofi Nkrumah, T. Acheampong, Imoro Braima, Francis Ofei, Patrick Adjei, Adwoa Agyei, Eugene Amable, and Josephine Akpalu

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS

...cont’d on Page 5

The Faculty of Radiology held a one day Seminar on “Abdominal Ultrasound Update” on 21st and 22nd August 2012.

Topics: Normal Liver including segments; Liver Masses (Cystic); Spleen, Liver masses (Solid); Liver Diffuse Abnormal; Renal Normal; Adrenal Sonography; Gall bladder and Bile Ducts; Pancreas; Abdominal Vessels; Solid Renal Masses; Cystic Renal Masses; Renal Abnormalities (Excluding Masses).

Facilitators: Drs. Augustina Badu – Peprah, Yaw Boateng Mensah, E. K. Brakohiapa, W. O. Brakohiapa, Eric Otu-Danquah, Jared Oblitey, Klenam Tettey, Ewurama Idun, Samuel Asiamah, Vincent Hewlettand Andrews Kaminta.

ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND UPDATE

NEWS / ANNOUNCEMENTS

The West African College of Physicians held its 36th Annual General and Scientific Meeting from 4th to 9th October 2012 in Accra. The theme for the conference was “Postgraduate Medical Education in the sub-region”. The Opening Ceremony kicked off on Monday 5th October 2012 at the Auditorium of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons while the scientific sessions were held at GIMPA. This year's meeting was held in collaboration with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, U.K., and attracted over 700 participants from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Republic of Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, U.K., U.S.A. there were also representatives from the Royal College of Physicians, U.K.

The College hosted a lecture titled “Evaluating exit professional competencies in residency programmes: Issues for debate” on Thursday 25th October 2012 at 5.00 p.m. at the Auditorium. The speaker was Professor Lade Wosornu, Professor of Surgery & Director, Deanship of Quality & Academic Accreditation,University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Attendees were treated to a compelling lecture followed by an engaging discussion.

WACP HOLDS 36th AGSM

COLLEGE HOSTS WOSORNU LECTURE

The long-awaited first issue of the journal of the College, the Postgraduate Medical Journal of Ghana (PMJG), has finally been published. Volume 1 Number 1 was published in September

COLLEGE JOURNAL FINALLY PUBLISHED

College News, Vol.8 No.2 7

2012. The second issue will appear in print in March 2013.

Fellows, Members, Residents and other researchers are encouraged to submit articles to help sustain the journal. Plans arefar advanced to move to an online manuscript submission and tracking system.

Fellows and Members who have not received copies of the journal can pick up copies at the Front Office of the College. The journal can also be accessed online at www.ghcps.org/journal.

The Editorial Committee of the College has learnt, with regret, of the death of the following personalities:

Dr Matthew K. Adogboba - Fellow, Public HealthProfessor Christine Ntim-Amponsah - Fellow, SurgeryDr Godwin A. Tagoe - Fellow, Obstetrics & GynaecologyDr Emmanuel K. Togbe - Fellow, Family MedicineMr. Alan Hunter Tooley - Honorary Fellow

The Committee sends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the departed Fellows.

DEPARTED FELLOWS

The newly constituted governing Council of the College, following the passage of the Specialist Health Training and Plant Medicine Act, Act 833, 2011, was inaugurated on 23rd October 2012 at the College by Honourable Deputy Minister of Health, Rojo Mettle Nunoo. Also present at the ceremony were Professor J. Plange-Rhule and Professor J. T. Anim, Vice Rector and Editor, respectively, of the College.

The members of the Council are:Professor Marian Ewurama Addy - ChairpersonProfessor George Wireko-Brobby - President, GCPSProfessor David Ofori- Adjei - Rector, GCPSProfessor Joseph Woahen Acheampong - Vice President, Division of Physicians, GCPSProfessor Anyetei Lassey - Vice President, Division of Surgeons, GCPSProfessor Yao Tettey - Representative, Deans of Medical SchoolsDr. Ebenezer Appiah- Denkyira - Representative, Ministry of HealthProfessor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang - Eminent PersonDr. Ken Sagoe - Representative, CEOs of Teaching HospitalsDr. Eric Asamoa - Representative, Medical and Dental CouncilDr. Oheneba Owusu Danso - Representative, Medical and Dental Professions Dr. Patrick Maison - Representative, Residents

4th COLLEGE COUNCIL INAUGURATED

Group photograph of newly inaugurated College Council

Editor: Professor J. T. AnimAddress: 54, Independence Avenue, Ridge-Accra. P. O. Box MB 429, Ministries, Accra-Ghana. Telephone Numbers: +233-302-238650, +233-302-238703

+233-243-690073. Email: ghcollege@4u.com.gh, info@ghcps.org Editorial Office: pmjg@ghcps.org

Manager Editor: Samora Cann

Council Members swear Oath of Office

College News, Vol.8 No.28

MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE FIESTA2013