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As part of the 2024 HCOWA Medical Summit and Expo, a Doctor’s Forum was convened, bringing together nine top medical doctors and practitioners from China and four from Ghana.

The forum provided a platform for these professionals to share knowledge and engage in meaningful discussions on a wide range of topics and thematic areas crucial to the healthcare sector.

The forum featured a series of insightful presentations aimed at addressing critical healthcare issues and proposing sustainable solutions. The participants demonstrated a deep commitment to promoting regional healthcare development in the West African sub-region.

The Chinese delegation included distinguished professionals such as Dr. Zhou Yonggang, Dr. Chen Xialou, Dr. Jia Jin, Dr. Qiu Li, Dr. Wang Qiao, Dr. Zhang Yan, Dr. He Xiaochun, and Dr. Gao Yan. Representing Ghana were esteemed practitioners Dr. Daniel Ako Charway, Dr. Edward Antwi, Dr. Abraham Frimpong Addo, and Dr. Kojo Oduro Koranteng.

Some of the key topics presented at the forum included “Holistic Approaches to Diagnosing and Managing ADHD in Children: Innovations and Effective Strategies,” “Combatting Tuberculosis: Prevention, Treatment, and Awareness,” “The Vital Role of Medical Education in Safeguarding Maternal Health: Bridging the Gap from Comprehensive Training to Effective Practice,” and “Comprehensive Approaches to Diagnosing and Treating Bronchiectasis in Children: Latest Advances and Best Practices.”

Objectives and Achievements of the Doctor’s Forum

The Doctor’s Forum sought to achieve several key objectives. Primarily, it aimed to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing between Chinese and Ghanaian healthcare professionals, with the ultimate goal of improving healthcare outcomes in the sub-region. The forum served as a crucial platform for discussing innovative approaches to healthcare challenges and exploring strategies for implementing these solutions across West Africa.

A significant highlight of the forum was the announcement of upcoming academic exchange programs initiated by HCOWA. These programs are designed to bring Chinese and Ghanaian doctors together to engage in academic exchanges, facilitating the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and best practices.

The exchange programs will focus on training healthcare professionals with advanced technological know-how, equipping them to address the evolving challenges in the healthcare sector effectively. This initiative underscores the commitment to building a healthcare system that is not only robust but also globally competitive.

The forum also played a vital role in promoting networking opportunities among the participants. By fostering connections between Chinese and Ghanaian medical professionals, the event helped to build a formidable healthcare sector where knowledge and experience can be shared, and collaborative efforts can be strengthened. This networking is crucial for understanding each other’s healthcare systems, creating a foundation for future cooperation, and ultimately contributing to the growth of the healthcare industry in both nations and beyond.

The Chinese Doctors were awarded for their insightful contributions to the development of the West African sub-region.

In conclusion, the Doctor’s Forum at the 2024 HCOWA Medical Summit and Expo was a pivotal event that advanced the agenda of regional healthcare development through collaboration, academic exchange, and the promotion of best practices. The discussions and initiatives that emerged from the forum are expected to have a lasting impact on the healthcare landscape in West Africa, setting the stage for a stronger, more resilient healthcare sector.

In a significant step toward enhancing healthcare infrastructure in Ghana and the West African sub-region, the Health Community of West Africa (HCOWA) has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with approximately 25 hospitals and clinics.

This landmark agreement took place on August 28, 2024, as part of the 2024 HCOWA West Africa Medical Industry Investment Summit and Expo, held at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre.

The MoUs were signed under the theme “Seizing the Opportunity to Rapidly Upgrade Hospitals, Clinics, and Doctors in West Africa.” The agreements outline clear objectives and commitments from both parties, setting the stage for collaborative efforts to modernize healthcare facilities across the region.

The institutions that have entered into partnership with HCOWA include notable names such as Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, County Hospitals, Jeslord Clinic, FFA Faith Hospital, Amiah Hospital, the Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana, ACH Medical Centre, Achimota Hospital, among others.

These partnerships aim to drive the upgrade of medical facilities, improve service delivery, and ensure that healthcare providers in the region have access to the latest technologies and best practices.

Anna Jiang, Chief Executive Officer of HCOWA, expressed her optimism about the potential impact of these partnerships. She believes that this collaboration will significantly advance the quality of healthcare services in the region, aligning with HCOWA’s mission to enhance medical standards and infrastructure.

HCOWA extends an invitation to other hospitals and clinics that have not yet joined this initiative to consider partnering with them. By doing so, these institutions can benefit from the comprehensive upgrade programs and contribute to the overall improvement of healthcare delivery in West Africa.

The Health Community of West Africa (HCOWA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC), the Central Regional Coordinating Council, and the Ghana Association of Chinese Societies, successfully launched the 2024 HCOWA West Africa Medical Industry Investment Summit and Expo.

The three-day event, which kicked off on August 26, 2024, at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre, aimed to advance healthcare delivery and address disparities in the West African sub-region by focusing on medical equipment shortages and enhancing overall healthcare.

The event, themed “Moving in Advance: Lay Out A New Track for the Medical and Health Industry,” brought together key stakeholders, manufacturers, and suppliers from China, Ghana, and various West African countries.

The event featured business-to-business meetings, exhibitions, and an investment summit designed to foster partnerships and drive innovation in the healthcare sector.

Ghanaian Health Minister Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye officially opened the summit, highlighting the significance of such gatherings in advancing the healthcare landscape.

He commended HCOWA for its efforts in organizing the event and stressed the importance of continued investment in the health sector to promote the well-being of communities and create jobs.

“Our journey to transform the healthcare landscape in Ghana and West Africa is crucial. This event is a significant milestone that reminds us of the critical role healthcare plays in the development of our nations,” Dr. Okoe Boye stated.

Chief Executive Officer of HCOWA, Anna Jiang, emphasized the need for a collaborative approach in the healthcare industry. She noted that while different parts of the healthcare system previously operated independently, a more integrated approach is now essential for progress.

“By working together, manufacturers, hospitals, doctors, and patients can build a healthcare system that is stronger and more effective,” Jiang said.

“Manufacturers can create products that meet the real needs of hospitals and doctors, while doctors can use the latest tools and technologies to provide better care, and patients can benefit from improved treatments and services,” she added

The Minister of Trade, K.T. Hammond, represented by his Technical Adviser, Dr. John Hawkins Asiedu, underscored the critical role of innovation and investment in improving health outcomes in West Africa. He highlighted the potential for the region to leverage these factors to overcome challenges in healthcare delivery.

The Chief Director of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, Mrs. Lilian Baeka noted the significance of the summit in promoting both business and healthcare service delivery. She affirmed the region’s openness to investment, particularly in the health sector, and emphasized the importance of partnerships in advancing healthcare across the sub-region.

“This summit and expo added to the opportunities the region presents, broadening collaboration among countries and investors,” Mrs. Baeka remarked.

Xu Xiangping, President of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion (CAETP), delivered the keynote address, lauding the collaboration between Ghana and China in the health sector.

He expressed hope that the summit would attract more Chinese investment into Ghana, further enhancing the country’s healthcare system.

Tang Hong, Chairman of the Ghana Association of Chinese Societies, also lauded the partnership between China and Africa, particularly in healthcare.

He noted that Ghana’s strategic location in West Africa and its involvement in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provided investors with access to a vast market of over 300 million people.

“Let us build on this, fostering a partnership that not only addresses the immediate health needs of our citizens but also contributes to the long-term development of our health system,” Tang urged.

The 2024 HCOWA West Africa Medical Industry Investment Summit and Expo saw the participation of over 500 health professionals and more than 150 exhibitors, marking a significant step forward in the region’s healthcare development. The event provided a platform for stakeholders to explore new technologies, innovations, and partnerships that will drive the future of healthcare in West Africa.