File photo of Tema General Hospital
The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) Ghana Office and the Tema General Hospital (TGH) have signed a Medical Service Agreement to facilitate easier and faster access to healthcare for Korean residents and other expatriates in the Tema area.
The agreement is a continuation of a strong working relationship between KOFIH and TGH, Dr Ralph Armah, Medical Director of Tema General Hospital, who previously benefited from a KOFIH-sponsored fellowship in Korea, said.
Bomin Yang, Country Director of KOFIH Ghana Office, stated at the signing ceremony that the agreement was intended to provide convenient medical services for the numerous Korean residents in Tema, a major port enclave in Ghana.
The medical service agreement is just to provide the medical service. I mean the faster way, and then the convenient way to provide our Korean expats here easily, Yang said.
He noted that through the relationship with Dr. Armah, who underwent the Dr. Lee Jong-wook fellowship programme in Korea, studying laparoscopic surgery, KOFIH had previously established a similar service at the Accra Regional Hospital.
Yang added that KOFIH’s role also involved supporting the training of medical staff from the hospital.
“At least once person in a year, we invite the doctors or nurses from this hospital to get the training in Korea,” he disclosed.
Dr Ralph Armah, the Medical Director of TGH, explained that as the hospital is located in a port enclave and serves as a port of entry, there were many expatriates, including those from Southeast Asia, hence the necessity of the agreement.
“The Kofi Ghana office found it prudent that their Southeast Asian counterparts be seen in this facility and have their services expedited.” Dr. Armah said.
He indicated that the hospital would appoint a focal person to facilitate the health needs of the Korean residents and other expatriates covered by the agreement.
Explaining the scope of the agreement, Dr Armah said it encompassed a “total holistic package” including care in the event of an accident and antenatal care for pregnant women, all within the context of the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health.
He mentioned that while the agreement did not immediately come with infrastructure or financial benefits, ongoing discussions suggest KOFIH might assist TGH with essential needs, particularly within the emergency space, as part of their corporate social responsibility.
The signing ceremony was attended by Chae Eun Kim, Deputy Country Representative of KOFIH Ghana Office, and Dr Ralph Armah, Medical Director of Tema General Hospital, among others.
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