By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Bolgatanga, June 24, GNA -The Upper East Regional Hospital has hosted pupils of Word International School in Zuarungu on an educational visit to the facility.Â
The pupils, accompanied by their teachers, arrived wearing face masks and dressed in nurses’ and doctors’ uniforms, complete with stethoscopes around their necks.
They expressed excitement about the opportunity to learn more about healthcare services and professions.
Mr Matthew Avane, the Hospital’s In-Service Training Coordinator, welcomed the pupils and provided an overview of the facility.
He explained that the Hospital was established in 1946 and had undergone significant expansion over the years.
According to him, the Hospital’s primary mission was to save lives. “For the Upper East Regional Hospital, we care for your life,” he told the pupils.
Mr Avane engaged the pupils in an interactive session and educated them on the roles and responsibilities of the various health professionals working at the hospital.
“Nurses educate patients and clients on disease conditions, while midwives care for pregnant women and their babies. They also educate expectant mothers on proper nutrition and healthy lifestyles,” he said.
He encouraged the pupils to take their studies seriously, particularly if they aspired to pursue careers in healthcare.
“To become a doctor, pharmacist, or laboratory technician, you need to study science. Therefore, you must work hard in school if you want to join any of these professions in the future,” he advised.
Mr Avane also highlighted the diverse workforce that supported healthcare delivery at the facility.
“The Hospital is not only about doctors and nurses. We also have cleaners, administrative staff, and many other essential personnel whose contributions are critical to the effective running of the hospital,” he noted.
The Training Coordinator advised the pupils to practice good hygiene by washing their hands regularly, eating healthy meals, and showing respect to health professionals and members of the public.
During the session, Mr Avane who is a Hematology Nurse Specialist, answered several insightful questions from the pupils, including: “Can someone with sickle cell disease be cured?,” “If you are A positive, who can you receive blood from?.”
“Does your genotype affect blood transfusion?” “If you are AS and your partner is SS, will there be complications?” “How many years does it take to become a doctor?” “Who is an oncologist?” “What is the name of the doctor who takes care of children?” and “Who is a gynaecologist?”
Beyond the interactive session held in the Hospital’s main conference hall, Mr Avane led the pupils and their teachers on a tour of selected units, including the paediatric surgical and medical wards, the female medical ward, as well as the laboratory and pharmacy departments.
He explained that, as part of infection prevention and control measures, the group could not visit all sections of the Hospital.
Ms Mercy Maletena Awane, a teacher at the school who led the delegation, expressed gratitude to the management and staff of the Hospital for the warm reception and the valuable educational experience provided to the pupils.
She expressed hope for similar opportunities in the future to further expose pupils to healthcare services and careers.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Email: [email protected]