Diplomatic World_nummer 57

PROFESSOR AARON LAWSON
FORMER DEAN, UNIVERSITY
OF GHANA MEDICAL SCHOOL
“These are excellent pieces of work achieved by
our nurses under the supervision of Sheba. It is
gratifying to note that our nurses have distinguished
themselves. I believe they are now ready to work at
the University of Ghana Medical Centre. There's
no doubt that the training has been excellent and
I firmly believe that the knowledge and experience
they have gained will be translated into action at
UGMC when it starts. We want to be unique in
Africa and we want to start right. Our nurses have
got it. Congratulations to all who have contributed
to this success story.”
The opening of a new hospital is always an important
occasion and a source of pride to any community and the
establishment of an advanced Academic Medical Center in
Africa is a cause for great celebration.
The University of Ghana Medical Centre would, in the words
of Former President (2012-2017) John Dramani Mahama, be
“among the best centers for medical training in Africa”, and
the impact on medical training would be enormous across the
country. “The 650-bed facility is the first of its kind in West
Africa and second to only a few in South Africa.”
The construction of the $217 million medical center,
initiated by the Government of Ghana and the University
of Ghana, was undertaken by the Israeli company EDC.
The International Division of the Sheba Medical Center,
Tel Hashomer, Israel, was commissioned to develop and
undertake training programs for the future senior staff of
the hospital.
this unique health project had the highest level of clinical
and academic experience as well as a pioneering vision.
The training programs were thus specifically designed
to enhance their leadership and management skills
in preparation for their future role as the foundation
upon which the new hospital could integrate the latest
technologies and medical equipment as an advanced
functioning living medical center.
The Sheba Medical Center (SMC) participated in the staff
recruitment and selection phase and shortly afterwards,
started receiving the newly recruited senior staff at SMC for
hands-on training sessions in groups of 30 at a time.
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From the very beginning it became abundantly clear that the
senior staff of the hospital (managers, physicians, nurses,
administrators) shared the dream of establishing the new
hospital and making it the crème de la crème of Ghana’s
hospitals. All those who were selected to participate in
Professor Aaron Lawson