Brief History/Background

The department of EYE, EAR, NOSE AND THROAT (EENT) was established by the Academic Board on 1^st October 1982 with Professor Sir George Wireko Brobby, then a Senior Lecturer, as the Foundation Head.  It was established as a composite academic unit made up of two distinct Microsurgery Units Ophthalmology(Eye) and Otorhinolaryngology(ENT) and given the name EENT.

 

Since its inception in   1982, the academic programme has so been streamlined as to portray the interdisciplinary nature of the two specialities.  The prevalence of Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat diseases in Ghana is very high.  Indeed; Professor Peter D. Bull, a visiting Professor and a Consultant of ENT confessed to have seen more hearing-impaired children in Ghana during his three weeks visit than he sees three years in Britain.  This being so, a newly qualified medical practitioner should be equipped with skills and in depth knowledge to be able to manage common Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat disorders at the community and district levels.  Our department has achieved this goal.  The performance of our graduates in these areas has been praised by many health workers and patients who come into contact with them.  The department can boast of a well-furnished lecture theatre, consulting rooms, and Audiology centre, the first of its kind, south of the Sahara.  Although, the Eye Unit is physically separated from the ENT section, our programmes are fully coordinated with other special subjects like Anaesthesia, Dermatology, Radiology and Psychiatry etc.

 

 

Rationale/Aims/Objectives

 

Vision and Mission

 

The Vision of the Department is in Consonance with that of the School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) which conceptualises its Mission as an internationally recognised school offering undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programmes of exceptionally high quality.  This Vision has motivated and encouraged the department of EENT to become a centre of excellence both locally and internationally through the indefatigable efforts of the Founding Head and the Faculty members in the department.

 

 

 

Aims/Objectives

             

The Department Aims to:

 

                   i.            Fulfil the general purpose of SMD through the pursuit of excellence in teaching, service, ethical and character training.

                   ii.            Provide basic clinical training in Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat through lectures, practical and clinical demonstrations through tutorials, seminars etc.

                 iii.            Promote and conduct research into the various facets of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Clinical Audiology and Speech Pathology.

                 iv.            Provide postgraduate training for the Membership and Fellowship of West African College of Surgeons, and Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons to Medical Officers not only from Ghana but also from other Countries e.g. Nigeria through advanced instructions, Practical and Clinical demonstrations and training in advanced Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat, Head and Neck surgical skills.

                   v.            Provide the requisite health care service to the general public and to offer advice on good ear care practices.  

                 vi.            Lead the crusade against the invisible handicap of “Deafness” through outreach activities, publications in print media, research, seminars etc.

 

 

Programme/Courses/Subject strands

 

Undergraduate

·         MBChB Programme

·         Physician Assistant Programme

·         ENT Nursing

 

Postgraduate

A post-graduate Course – DLO (Diploma in Otolaryngology) was started for the whole of the West African sub-region in 1997. The Department currently runs MSc programme in Audiology.  Kumasi and Ibadan are the only two centres of excellence accredited by the West African Post-Graduate Medical College for the Course.  Since then, several students from Ghana and Nigeria graduated from the department and holding key positions in various hospitals in Ghana and Nigeria.

 

Additionally, the department has been accredited by the West African College of Surgeons and Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons to train Consultants for West Africa. 

 

In addition to the above, the members of staff are also actively involved in teaching the Post Basic Degree Course in ENT Nursing from around the country and based at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.  This is a national programme and Kumasi is the only centre of excellence accredited by the Ghana Health Service and the Nurses and Midwives Council for Ghana.

At the moment the department has 22 Residents (3 Junior and 5 Senior Residents at the ENT Unit, 11 Junior Residents and 3 Senior Residents at the Eye Unit).

 

 

Structure of Department

                     i.            Head of Department                     Dr. Issahalq Mohammed Duah

                   ii.            Administrative Secretary              Mrs. Benita Kwarteng Amanin

                 iii.            Examinations Officer                    Dr. Peter C. Armah

 

 

Research/Projects and Collaborations

The Department is in collaboration with:

                     i.            University of Michigan Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck (Medical/educational Partnership)

 

                   ii.            Starkey Foundation-Producers of Hearing Accessories

                 iii.            Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH)

 

Service to Community (CSR)

The Department reaches out to industries, schools and social centres for hearing assessment.

 

EAR

1.      Outreach programme to educate mothers about hearing loss

2.      Free hearing screening for mothers and babies at the Maternal and Child Hospital, Kumasi

3.      Outreach programme to celebrate WORLD HEARING DAY, public education and free hearing screening of the public.

 

EYE

1.      Outreach – free surgical services for people in the communities in Ghana

2.      World Glaucoma week celebration

 

Specific Objectives of Ear, Nose and Throat Unit

 

At the end of rotation in ENT, the student should be able to:

 

Master the care of patients with a tracheostomy; identify signs of danger and act to correct these.

 

a.   Describe which patients need specialist care, refer them to a special unit and describe in detail the clinical features and any treatment given.

 

b.   Practice the following skills

                                 i.      Use head mirror to examine the upper respiratory tract and ear

                               ii.      Tuning fork testing-schwabaach, Rhine, Weber Otoscopy

                             iii.      Learn the technique and identify the application direct and indirect laryngoscopy, anterior and posterior rhiniscopy

 

d. Treat common Ear, Nose and Throat disorders

 

e. Identify basic equipment used in hearing evaluation and different types of hearing aids.

 

f. Identify hearing-impaired children and to instruct their parents.