Ankaase (Ash), March 9, – Inguinal hernia remains a significant health concern in Ghana, frequently leading to emergency cases when treatment is delayed, Dr. Godfred Owusu, General Surgeon at Ankaase Methodist Faith Hospital, has said.
Speaking during a free screening and surgical intervention for hernia patients at the facility, Dr. Owusu attributed complications largely to irregular hospital check-ups and urged individuals to seek timely medical assessment.
The initiative, organised by the Methodist Health Trust, aims to provide treatment across its facilities at Ankaase, Aburaso, and Apagya hospitals. Over 800 patients have benefited from the exercise, which began three years ago to reduce the backlog of chronic hernia cases requiring surgery.
“The exercise was initially planned for one week but had to be extended to a month due to the overwhelming response,” Dr. Owusu noted. He expressed satisfaction that all surgeries conducted so far had been successful and remained hopeful for continued positive outcomes.
Mrs. Gloria Agyeiwaa Osei Boateng, Nurse Manager at the facility, cautioned against the use of unverified herbal remedies, which could complicate hernia cases and make surgical intervention more difficult.
As of March 6, 2026, Ankaase Methodist Hospital had performed over 200 surgeries, while the Aburaso and Apagya hospitals also reported substantial numbers, with about 30 percent of procedures conducted on female patients.
Mrs. Osei Boateng appealed to the government, through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to fully subsidize hernia treatments to ensure broader access to care. Patients who have undergone surgery expressed gratitude to the Methodist Health Trust and hoped similar initiatives would continue to assist more people in need.
GHBUSS
9 March 2026
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