For three intensive days, frontline health professionals from across Ghana gathered at Nyansapo Eco Resort in Moree, Central Region, to participate in the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Short Course, a collaborative initiative by the Africa Health Collaborative-KNUST, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and the University of Toronto.

Now in its third phase, the programme is designed as a hands-on training to equip participants with critical skills to manage emergencies long before patients reach the hospital.

From helplessness to confidence

Among the attendees was Joyce Nkrumah, a nurse from Saltpond Hospital in the Central Region.

“In my area, we lack the knowledge to care for patients in pre-emergency situations,” she admitted. Joyce recalled a harrowing drowning case where her team’s limited understanding of choking left them no choice but to refer the patient elsewhere.

“Now, I know what to do. The training was excellent; I can manage cases I once felt powerless in.”

A call to action

Emmanuel Ellonye, an emergency nurse, believes the course was more than skill refinement, it was also a mandate to empower others.

“Emergency care is a day-to-day necessity,” he emphasized. “The sessions were practical and eye-opening. I’m not just confident at the hospital now; I’ll train my church and community to act before ambulances arrive.”

Breaking the “hospital-centric” mindset

Mohammed Alidu, head nurse at SDA Hospital in Tamale, stressed a paradigm shift: “Emergency care doesn’t begin at the hospital. We forget that.”

Motivated by the training, he plans a social media series to educate his community, where motorbike crashes are frequent.

“Once, I saw people arguing over blame after an accident instead of helping. I intervened. This training showed me why early response saves lives.”

Skills that transform

Participant Musah Fuseina praised the “well-structured” curriculum, particularly CPR and trauma management. “Controlling bleeding and airway obstruction were turning points. Now, I can stabilize spinal injuries.” Like her peers, Musah aims to cascade this knowledge, training local health workers at community events.

Facilitators who made the difference

The facilitators earned universal acclaim for their hands-on approach. “They used real-life scenarios and ensured everyone grasped the techniques,” Mohammed noted. Participants now advocate for extended sessions and advanced follow-ups, echoing Emmanuel’s resolve: “Every second counts. I’ll join any emergency training to learn more.”