From left, Dr. Alexis Buggenhoutfrom Belgian Group for Endoscopic Surgery (BGES), Dr. Ramadhan Omar, Head of Surgery at the Coast General Hospital and Dr. Hassan Omar Surgeon Coast General Hospital. [Photo/Maxwell Ngala]
Surgeons in Mombasa on Friday started receiving a three day ‘Laparoscopic’ training workshop at the Mombasa Hospital organized by the Belgian Group for Endoscopic Surgery (BGES).
The BGES is the scientific committee dedicated to the study, teaching, and promotion of laparoscopic surgery in Belgium.
Led by Dr. Alexis Buggenhout, the visiting medics said they have partnered with Mombasa Hospital to train local surgeons on laparoscopic surgery which is also referred to as the ‘Minimally Invasive Surgery’.
He said the laparoscopic surgery is a modern surgical technique in which operations are performed through small incisions in the body.
“Laparoscopic surgery is much preferred compared to the old common open surgery in the healthcare system due to the smaller incisions and shorter recovery times” he noted saying that it leaves negligible scars on the body.
Dr. Buggenhout says laparoscopic surgery primarily uses a laparoscope, a long fiber optic cable system which allows viewing of the affected area by snaking the cable from a more distant, but easily accessible location.
He said the surgeons will get the opportunity to learn the technical skills of laparoscopic surgery in a consistent and scientifically accepted format with the goals of improving the quality of patient care in the country.
Dr. Ramadhan Omar, the Head of Surgery at the Coast General Hospital, said the surgical procedure is still new in the country but is gaining currency both in private and public hospitals.
“As we speak today, this kind of surgery is offered in most premier private hospitals but fortunately Coast General Hospital and Kenyatta National Hospital have already started the procedure” he added.
Dr. Omar Hassan, a resident surgeon of Mombasa Hospital lauded the training saying it offers the medics the opportunity to keep themselves abreast of emerging advanced surgical technologies.
He said patients under the laparoscopic surgery have the advantages of shorter hospitals stays, quicker recovery and early return to work.