IN THIS ISSUE

1.    Certification with UK specified Oil & Gas Examining Doctors.
2.    Meet Dr. Claudia M. Donkor
3.    Second WARA Blood Donation Day
4.    Dr. Isaac Receives an Award of Honour.
5.    Update on our Takoradi Base
6.    New Ambulances Added to WARA Fleet.
7.    Facts on Cholera
8.    Recent Swine Flu Scare
9.    Download of WARA Newsletters

OIL & GAS UK SPECIFIED EXAMINIG DOCTORS.
WARA is proud to announce its recent certification with the Oil and Gas UK Specified Examining Doctors. This registration allows the WARA Medical team to work in collaboration with the Oil and Gas UK guidelines, upgrading our scope of services for the growing oil and Gas industry in the region.

MEET DR. DONKOR Bsc. MBchB.
She joined WARA because it presents the most exciting avenue for practising her profession. West African Rescue Association, Doctor Claudia Mary Donkor says presents her with the opportunity to practise medicine in a new way right here in Ghana.

Being the only emergency ambulance rescue operator in the country, medical practise in WARA also emphasizes the quality of services provided to members. As a result, Dr. Donkor finds herself in a more dynamic role with a diversity of medical practice from clinical to air rescue and ambulance work. When her patients end up on admission, she follows up to call them, visit and monitor them until they are discharged.

Doctor Donkor like her other colleagues in the WARA medical team is always “travel ready” as she could be called upon at any time to escort a patient to be medically evacuated out of the country. She also takes her turn as Doctor on duty at the WARA Clinic both in Accra and Takoradi.

Dr. Donkor attended KNUST, School of Medical Sciences (SMS). At KNUST, she was involved in many activities which give us more insight into her dynamism. Just to mention a few, she was an executive member of her hall of residence, Africa Hall, also editor-in-chief of Pax Romana News. As a member of the health week Planning Committee she participated in outreach clinics in Bolgatanga, Juaboso Bia, Kumasi, and other areas.

Dr. Donkor has always wanted to become a Medical Doctor since her childhood. She became more focused on this dream when she incidentally received compliments saying “she will make a fine Doctor one day. “ This compliment was from others who had absolutely no idea they were referring to what was already her heart’s desire.

Dr. Donkor also has a passion for writing and she is a regular contributor to two newspapers, ‘The Mirror” and the “Sunday World” she has achieved her hearts desire and is therefore fulfilled by constantly contributing to restoring health and life.

2nd WARA BLOOD DONATION
With the combined effort of WARA, the National Blood service and Game, at the Accra Mall, another successful blood donation exercise was carried out at the beginning of the year. The exercise was received with enthusiasm from the general public and WARA members alike resulting in a total of 90 units being collected.

WARA continues to plan regular blood donation initiative in support of being a reliable and sustainable supplier to the National Blood Bank who regularly find themselves in very short supply.” We look forward to informing you of the next up and coming blood donation day and can only encourage those of you who wish to donate to support this event.

Dr. ISAAC RECEIVES AN AWARD OF HONOUR.
Friends of the African Regents have spoken and have selected their favourite Doctors for 2009. WARA’s Medical Director, Dr. Isaac Akanko along side Dr. Edem Hiadzi of Lister Hospital shared third place.

They were amongst many candidates nominated for the awards and we are proud to publish the citation below which was read in honour of Dr. Isaac at the ceremony held at the African Regents Hotel.

“His job is both diverse and demanding and he has risen up successfully to every challenge which has come his way. He is loved by all his patients, both adults and the paediatric patients he treats. He is by far the favourite Doctor of Members of the West African Rescue Association.”
All of us at WARA join the friends of the African Regent Hotel and the numerous WARA patients to say

 Congratulations Dr. Isaac !

UPDATE ON OUR TAKORADI BASE
WARA is proud to officially announce that due to an increase in the flow of foreign businesses into the Takoradi area, we opened a second base there in the middle of last year. This is in light of the new oil discovery in the region. 

We have a 24 hour run consultation clinic there and in addition a four bedded executive hospital to provide the facility to overnight patients who are stable but require a watchful treatment by our medical team. Due to the lack of diagnostic support locally in Takoradi we have supported our clinic with our own: ultra sound, x-ray, laboratory and 12 lead ECG Machine.

All critical or unstable cases will still either be air rescued or ground ambulance transferred to Accra to be received and handled by our Accra medical team but this clinic remains crucial to provide local support where there is a great demand.

Existing WARA members who have either individual or corporate packages with us and who frequent the Takoradi area and would like to include this ambulance base and clinic into their existing Accra/Tema based coverage can be in contact with us either by email or appointment to explore this option further.

NEW AMBULANCES ADDED TO OUR FLEET
WARA is proud to announce that our fleet has grown to seven fully equipped ambulances in accordance to the growing number of people who have chosen WARA as their ground provider for medical case management in Ghana.

Picture taken of one of our new ambulances on a recent international

flight repatriation mission performed by our team.

FACTS ON CHOLERA
BY DR CLAUDIA MARY DONKOR
Ghana, along with other African countries, namely Zimbabwe, recently recorded cases of cholera. Cholera is a condition that can quickly turn into an epidemic if the appropriate interventions are not put into place.

Ghana Health Service has reported over thousand cases of cholera, including at least ten deaths, since the outbreak.Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by a comma-shaped bacterium called vibrio cholerae . The infection is common in areas where there are low standards of hygiene, both personal and environmental. It is spread via the faeco-oral route meaning that it is transferred through faeces that find its way into the mouth.

SYMPTONS
Poor food preparation and handling, as well as contaminated water, are the main sources of infection. Its incubation period ranges from a few hours to five days. One of the classical symptoms of cholera is the passage of painless, profuse stool. An infected individual may also vomit profusely.

These two symptoms, when copious, can cause severe dehydration, which when not corrected or reversed quickly, can lead to death. Fever, weakness, hypotension and dizziness are other symptoms. Cholera outbreak is serious because it can spread very quickly, especially when the source is not identified and the spread of the infection is not contained.

PREVENTION

• Meticulous hand-washing cannot be over-emphasized when preparing and handling food, especially uncooked or raw foods.

• It is important to eat properly washed leafy vegetables and fruits. Knowing the source of such food items will help in no small measure.

• It is advisable to eat in a reputable restaurant or eatery with proper supervision and certification.

• It is encouraged that foods are warmed before eating them or purchase them when hot.

• We should endeavour to cover foods left in the open. 

• Education on hygiene and best food handling practices must be given to our chefs and kitchen assistants. 

• Clean or potable water is the best for household use but this is not available to everyone, therefore, water (from sources unknown/uncertain) should be boiled and filtered before drinking.

• Please be wary of ‘pure water’ (sachet water) as they have tons of floating particles or impurities in them. It is preferable to drink bottled water (make sure the seal is intact!).

• Our environment has to be kept clean at all times. (Stagnant waters must be drained. Refuse disposal should be appropriate. Preventive measures for housefly invasion of our houses must be considered, such as nets for windows, regular spraying of our homes and generally keeping the house, especially the kitchen, clean. Cholera can be easily prevented or controlled when we practice personal, nutritional and environmental hygiene).

RECENT SWINE FLU SCARE
Despite the recent relative control which the world has managed to gain over the recent Swine Flu scare there are some who speak of a second wave of infectious cases. Just a reminder that even through it has gone off the news to please continue to be careful for the next few months in case of a second emergency of cases. A reminder of the following useful preventative tips:

• Diligent , regular hand washing techniques - especially after contact with others

• Reduction in any unnecessary contact with individuals:  handshaking, hugging, kissing etc.

• If in confined spaces such as taxis, tro-tro's etc, ensure maximum Improved ventilation - open windows to ensure good thorough flow

• Avoid breathing , coughing and sneezing on others and/or vice versa

• Increase diligent disinfection of surfaces especially those which come into close contact with our bodies, such as telephone receivers etc.

• Educate your children and others about preventative measures

• Avoid biting nails, thumb sucking or putting hands into mouths

Tamiflu treatment can still be purchased for you, your family or organization through WARA.

DOWNLOAD WARA NEWSLETTERS
Editions of the WARA news since April 2008 can be downloaded at our website. If you missed any of the previous editions it is not too late to catch up on useful information on various subjects such as

• WARA provides training for Ghana Aquatic Life Savers

• Awareness of WARA car stickers

• Health concern – Rabies

• WARA assists critically burned victims

For newsletter correspondence contact:
newsletter@westafrican-rescue.com

To register as a member of WARA contact:

Help@westafrican-rescue.com

Tel: +233 21 781 248 Fax: + 233 21 781 259

An area view of Airport Residential. A shot taken from one of our helicopters.

download WARA Office Directional Map,