Since one week we are in Ghana now to help several small clinics in the countryside between the capital Accra and Koforidua.

Last week we went for a shooping trip to Accra, because we needed certain medical equipment for three small health centers. One of it is situated in Okrakwadjo. We support this small clinic since the beginning of BOA-Afrika e.V., because Susi has worked there as a volunteer after she had finished school. So she witnessed the problems of the clinic herself and learned that the team is willing to help all patients, but does not have basic medial equipment.

After we haved asked the medical shop owner in Accra about the costs, we decided to buy 12 boxes of gloves, 18 bedsheets, 600 yards gauze, 57 bandages, three bathroom and one todlar scale, sterile medical instrument sets especially for women giving birth and one sterilizer.

While some of the team were busy getting the wanted things packed in cartons, we could watch the world cup qualification match between Ghana and Congo on a screen in the shop.

Furthermore we were asked for glasses by a woman last week. Esther told us that she had eye problems since years, but could not afford to pay 60 € for new glasses at the nearby hospital. She had heard that we had brough used glasses from Germany and was very happy when we looked through all the different pairs with her. See here which pair of glasses Esther finally chose.

After that we went to the next town and helped our friend Abi with her work at Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital. When we had finished most of it we were able to visit a pharmacy opposite the hospital to buy different kinds of medication for the health centers. The small clinics only have a small amount of drugs for their patients available. So they are always glad about getting some more. 

Because of your donation we could buy anti-malaria-drugs for adults and children, antibiotics, folic acid and a few bottles of a product that helps to increase the haemoglobin level in the blood.

Next week we would like to visit the health centers and bring them their donations. But before we have to go back to Accra and visit the medical shop again. Last Thursday we have placed another order and will pick up the things for Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital next Monday.

By the way... Ghana won against Congo 5:1!

Some time ago we published a report about a medical emergency service based in Harare/ Zimbabwe: ACE.

BOA-Afrika e.V. asked for an interview, because we wanted to know more about their work and experiences. Luckily we got all our questons answered.

Team of mixed nations

We learned that 26 people work for ACE who offers medical help for locals and tourists by road and air. The people who work for the emergency service come from all over the world like South Africa or the Philippines. Before they all applied to the „HR department“ to become a new team member in ACE, all of them have worked at various emergency wards fulltime for at least five years.

ACE owns their own emergency planes to rescue people from all over Southern Africa. Six pilots share shifts to make sure that they are ready to help whenever they are needed.

Both locals and tourists are ACE´s patients

In most cases the team of ACE is called to help because of accidents. But sometimes patients need professional help after burns, heat strokes or incidents with animals. The people of ACE are always happy to help and give the best they can do.

Injured locals are often taken to the nearest hospital by road. Tourists sometimes use the air service to be flown back into their home countries. The costs for treatment and transport is covered by travel health insurances.

ACE also offers their own insurance package. Between 7 days to even 12 month you can register for their insurance scheme that covers for expenses up to 100 000 US$.

A doctor and a nurse are always in the airplanes to take care of the injured person. Sometimes even a third person joins the team if the injury or illness requests for that.

The patient´s wellbeing is most important

After the First Aid the patient is taken to the hospital which suits his illness best. If it is necessary to go to a more distant hospital, but receive a better treatment the team of ACE will decide to rather take their patients there. The patient´s wellbeing always is the first choice in all kind of decisions the emergency team has to make.

Interview with Mark (Operations Director of ACE)

BOA-Afrika e.V.: „Mark, what do you think is the biggest challenge about your job?“

Mark: „The most challenging about our job is the poor after care for our patients. We do our best in very harsh situations to keep a person alive. On arrival at the hospital the person is not attended with the care they require due to lack of emergency training and limited resources. It makes you feel like all our efforts were in vain. We are also faced with resistance from untrained hospital staff which results in a negative way on our patients.”

BOA-Afrika e.V.: “What do you think is the best about your job?”

Mark: “Our job is a very challenging one that requires very special people that are patient and can work under severe pressure. Every day is a different one. It is a rewarding job that makes one feel useful on this earth. Saving lives is a daily duty but bringing a life onto earth is most special. Child birth is not the best call out we enjoy, but it´s special.”

BOA-Afrika e.V.: “Who normally makes the decision if you better reach a patient by air or road? How much time do you need to get there on average?”

Mark: “The mode of transport is selected by the medical doctor on duty. A ground ambulance is dispatched in two minutes after receiving the information. An air ambulance requires much more logistics and planning. It may take up to one and a half hours.”

BOA-Afrika e.V.: “How do people like the First Aid courses that you offer especially for guides and all others who are interested to attend?”

Mark: “Our training courses are very much enjoyed by people. We make them life like and exciting. We, on average, conduct one course every week.”

BOA-Afrika e.V.: “Is there any emergency case that is still in your mind, Mark? Why do you remember especially that one?”

Mark: “In 2006 I attended to a man that was stuck underneath a train. I gained access to him through a damaged carriage door.

From his hip down he was trapped under the train carriage, but he could still breath and talk. I had to attend to other people that were injured, too, and as I did this I would pass by him and talk to him and try to reassure him. He was in no pain but knew he was going to die. After attending to other patients I returned to try and assist him further with the fire man. They were not equipped to lift the train to free him. We eventually had to transport the other people to hospital who needed our attention. It was very hard to leave him there. We later heard he passed away in that position. It has stayed in my mind for 9 years now.”

BOA-Afrika e.V.: “Do you also remember weird emergency cases that you attended?”

Mark: “I once attended to an armed robbery case. When we arrived there we were surprised to find no one alive at the scene, but a dead body. After searching the area we suddenly found a man who was alive and locked in a room that we couldn’t gain access to. He said that he was the owner of the house and the dead man was the robber. He said the robber had locked him in the room. While we were waiting for the police, we noticed the family pictures on the wall. Some of them showed the dead man. It was strange to us and later we found out that the locked up man was not the owner of the house but the robber and murderer.”

BOA-Afrika e.V.: “Mark, would you like to tell us if you have any expectations about your future for yourself and your team?”

Mark: “I expect a very positive and successful future for me, my workmates and our company ACE!!! We all come back to our base each day after a long hard day of seeing pain and suffering. We encourage one another through the pain and as humans we also feel the suffering. Our family spirit makes us stronger and makes us want to help more! It is a small family business that will be blessed for all the good things it has done for many Zimbabweans from all walks of life. Each of us here at ACE were put here by God and our purpose is to save lives, prevent the condition from worsening and to eliminate pain and suffering. We will continue to do that as long as we live.”

BOA-Afrika e.V.: “Thanks a lot for the interview, Mark!”

Holiday season in Europe!!!

Maybe some of you even consider to spend their time in Southern Africa.

We can highly recommend to visit the Victoria Falls in either Zambia and/ or Zimbabwe. The falls are amazing and worth a day trip. The temperatures are not too high and there is no rain at all at the moment. So tourists can handle that climate easily right now.

Medical emergency

Of course we do not hope that any visitor to Southern Africa will experience a medical emergency. But it is possible that tourists might be suddenly in danger and urgently are in need for professional help.

In such a case it would be very comforting to know that there is an air and ambulance service available to help.

ACE is based in Zimbabwe

The medical emergency service, that sends their rescue teams via air and land, is called ACE and is based in Harare/ Zimbabwe.

ACE owns many emergency vehicles, similar to those we know from Europe, and some planes. Three of their planes can land where it is impossible for bigger ones. So the doctors on board can even help at hardly accessible places in case of an emergency.

Best training to help

Doctors, paramedics, nurses, pilots and call center dispatchers are very well trained and have a profound knowledge about first aid and how to help best in the important first minutes after an accident has happened. Their medical gear is modern and updated on a regular basis.

ACE offers trainings for guides. So they can quickly help until a doctor takes over. Guides are trained in First Aid, inital treatment of fractures, general procedure in case of an emergency and a lot more.

The team of ACE is available 24/7 to be able to help whenever their support is needed.

For more information about ACE you can stop by on their Website .

Please also visit them on Facebook to find out about latest news.