The provision of the machines with backing from the Community Chest of Korea, a Non-Governmental Organization, would aid the Hospital's inaugural surgeries on five people requiring that services.

The equipment comprised of laparoscopic tower, capacity monitor, screens, processors, light source, insufflator, and diathermy machines.

The benevolent act ensued after months of comprehensive training on laparoscopic equipment and surgeries for doctors, nurses, and biomedical engineers at the Hospital.

The trainings focused on fundamental concepts of laparoscopic surgeries, equipment operation and surgical procedures, some of which were closely monitored by the Ghana News Agency.

Since 2013, KOFIH had been actively involved in various health projects across the country including maternal and child health initiatives, medical device management, rehabilitation programmes for children with disabilities and strengthening laparoscopic surgery capabilities.

It had organised invitational training programmes through Dr LEE Jong-Wook Fellowship programme in Korea for healthcare professionals.

Laparoscopic surgeries are minimally invasive surgical procedure used to examine and treat conditions largely in the abdomen or pelvis.

It involves small incisions (0.5-1.5 cm) through which a laparoscope-a thin tube with a camera-is inserted, allowing real-time visualisation of internal organs on a monitor.

This technique can diagnose health conditions like abdominal pain, tumours and organ diseases and allows for interventions such as the removal of a small tissue sample from the body for examination under a microscope (biopsies)

Generally, the process reduces pain, shorter recovery time and less scarring compared to traditional open surgery Handing over the equipment, Mr Bomin Yang, KOFIH Ghana Country Representative, emphasised that the gesture, marked a significant stride in augmenting the surgical capacity of the facility to enhance quality healthcare for all. He highlighted the transformative impact of laparoscopic surgery on modern medicine, expressing his hope that this state-of-the-art equipment would elevate the quality of medical services and bolster the expertise of healthcare professionals at CCTH.

"As this equipment is entrusted to you, we kindly ask the hospital leadership and staff to take full ownership in its management and use."

He reminded them of the importance of upholding a culture of proper maintenance and responsible utilisation to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of the equipment to ultimately benefit patients and the community for years to come.
He expressed his appreciation to the hospital leadership and staff for their unwavering dedication to patient care and the partnership between them.

Dr Eric Kofi Navedu expressed gratitude to KOFIH while appealing for increased support and assured of his commitment to back initiatives that promoted sustainable enhancements in healthcare delivery.
He said a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in January 2014 between KOFIH and the CCTH to bolster the hospital's capacity to provide high-quality medical services.

Specifically, the aim was to enhance the capability for laparoscopic surgery to improve operational efficiency and optimize patient bed management, thereby reducing hospital stays.

Furthermore, KOFIH facilitated comprehensive training for healthcare professionals at CCTH, positioning it as a pivotal training centre for the University of Cape Coast's School of Medical Sciences, among other collaborations.