Ghana

In 2006, after a long career in miliary pathology, Dr. Thomas Coppin learned of a shortage of pathologists at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. Concerned about the impact on patient care, he traveled to Ghana to see the situation himself. He found a clear need for pathology expertise, particularly for supporting surgical diagnoses.

With the help of Pathologists Overseas, Dr. Coppin recruited over 40 volunteer pathologists from various countries. These volunteers took turns on monthly rotations, offering their knowledge and skills to the local staff. The goal was to build a reliable surgical pathology service at the hospital and train Ghanaian healthcare professionals in these essential techniques.

From 2007 to 2010, Dr. Coppin led this effort, successfully establishing pathology services and providing the necessary training to ensure local staff could maintain these services independently in the future.

Dr. Coppin worked closely with Dr. Heinz Hoenecke, the founder of Pathologists Overseas, throughout the project. Despite the distance between them, they spoke on the phone daily, tackling the challenges of setting up the pathology services together. Dr. Hoenecke’s guidance was key in navigating the many obstacles, from setting up the lab to finding volunteers.

A new building next to the pathology department at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital was equipped with microscopes, tissue processing tools, and a morgue that could hold up to 200 bodies. Unfortunately, Dr. Coppin and his team did not have the ability to use this facility during their time there. However, the construction of this building marked progress in the Ghana healthcare system and pointed to future improvements in patient care.

Today, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital offers surgical pathology, cytology, immunohistochemistry, frozen section services, and a residency program, continuing the work that Dr. Coppin and his team began.(Source:PubMed)