Sharab Hospital played a crucial supportive role in the success of Dr. Abubacarr Jah’s voluntary urology mission to Koidu Government Hospital (KGH), Sierra Leone. Despite the mission being organized in collaboration with Partners In Health (PIH), Sharab Hospital’s commitment extended beyond national boundaries, reaffirming its dedication to global health solidarity and surgical capacity-building in West Africa.
Key contributions by Sharab Hospital:
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Granted Time Off: Sharab Hospital released Dr. Jah from his duties, despite his busy schedule and active surgical practice, allowing him to undertake the week-long humanitarian mission without any conflicts in obligations.
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Financial Support: In addition to PIH covering travel and accommodation, Sharab Hospital contributed to the mission logistics by funding airport-related expenses and essential supplies, enabling smooth movement and preparation.
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Moral and Institutional Backing: The endorsement of Dr. Jah’s mission by Sharab Hospital as part of its ethical commitment to outreach and training reflects its broader vision of empowering African surgeons and addressing health disparities in underserved communities.
Dr. Jah explicitly acknowledged and expressed gratitude to Sharab Hospital for its instrumental support, which made the mission feasible, impactful, and sustainable. The hospital’s involvement stands as a model for how healthcare institutions can meaningfully contribute to regional health system strengthening beyond their immediate geography.
Key Activities & Clinical Summary
Outpatient Review:
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35+ patients reviewed, predominantly presenting with BPH, urethral strictures, and bladder outlet obstruction
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Ultrasound-guided assessments conducted using high-quality handheld devices
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On-site training provided to Dr. Eugene and team in renal, bladder, and prostate scanning
Surgical Interventions:
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13 patients operated, 14 procedures performed, including:
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8 Open Prostatectomies (3 independently done by KGH team)
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3 Urethroplasties (including 1 buccal mucosa graft)
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1 Urethrolithotomy (impacted penile stone)
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1 Cystolithotomy
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1 Examination under anaesthesia
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Training Milestones:
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Hands-on guidance and stepwise instruction on Millin’s prostatectomy technique
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Historic first-ever independent prostatectomy by KGH team, supervised by Dr. Jah
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Demonstration and adoption of skin staplers to reduce operative time
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Introduction of Clean Intermittent Self-Catheterization (CISC) for suitable patients