Ghanaian ‘exchange’ Benefits Healthcare
Henrietta and IolaA registered nurse from Ghana is currently studying at Bangor University’s School of Healthcare Sciences, and can discuss her home country with a Bangor Student, Iola Mair Morris, who, thanks to her course, has been able to assist some of the world’s poorest children, during a fortnight volunteering in the West African country over the summer.
Iola, a third year Disabilities Nursing student from Bala, was working in a home for orphaned children, and was able to help one of the children there, by sharing Information about Down’s Syndrome, providing the local staff with Information about the condition and the associated health problems, which can accompany it.
“They knew next to nothing about Down’s there,” explained Iola. “So I was able to provide an Information pack on the subject.”
Though the capital Accra was fairly wealthy, Iola’s journey along the coast and into the heartland revealed how poor the Country is, with few modern technical Resources available.
“What made the greatest impression on me was seeing the children with no parents or family, and yet they were happy,” she says. Iola enjoyed the experience so much that she has already arranged to do more voluntary work this year. Ten days after completing her degree, Iola files out to Cambodia where she will be working with children and people with disabilities, on a health promotion project.
”This will involve one visit to a poor village where we will be distributing dressings and medications,” explained Iola, who is also currently applying for permanent nursing posts in Wales after graduating.
Henrietta Obaabeng Dompreh is a registered nurse in Ghana, and happy to have the opportunity discuss her home country with Iola.
Henrietta is delighted to be studying in a modern Healthcare Sciences school, and to be sharing expertise and experience with students from many countries, there are representatives from 11 countries on her course. She looks forward to taking her new knowledge home with her to help her save lives.
“I have seen many people in Africa die from preventable diseases,” says Henrietta, who is following a Masters degree in Public Health and Health Promotion.
“What I’m learning here in Bangor will enable me to develop an understanding of how to assist in the prevention and management of these diseases.”
Henrietta works at a government teaching hospital and is keen to apply what she has learnt already and is particularly interested in introducing education and screening programmes to improve the health of pregnant mothers and babies. Here until December 2018, Henrietta is also keen to establish a foundation for children and maternal health on her return. She says that there is much that can be done by improving understanding about hygiene during pregnancy and breast feeding.
“Life in Bangor is interesting and stress-free and it’s a pleasure to be here,” she said, commenting that there were similarities between the values and culture of Wales and Ghana. The main differences were the wealth- and the weather!
Publication date: 9 January 2018