From February 17 to 22, the Canonical Visit to the centers of the England Delegation in Ghana took place. The visit was carried out by Sister M. Antonia Guerra, General Treasurer, and Sister M. del Carmen Martín, General Councillor.
They were accompanied by two sisters from the government of the England Delegation:
- Lourdes Sanz, Delegate Superior
- Mary Ann Curimatmat, Delegate Treasurer.
During these days, they have visited the following centers:
Accra – Transit house, where the initial reception took place.
Assin-Foso – San Francisco Javier Hospital.
General hospital providing medical care to a population of around 207,000 inhabitants. Services offered:
- Emergencies
- General medicine and surgery
- Pediatric obstetrics and gynecology unit
- Dental clinic
- It has a special unit for maternal and child care, and the unit’s team focuses on reducing mortality among children under 5. The hospital also aims to educate the local population about the importance of bringing sick children to the hospital. They also provide specialized care for women and mothers.
- The center has also become a university hospital.
Dompoase – Benito Menni Hospital.
General hospital in a rural area, equipped with a team for the community outreach program.
Services:
- Emergencies
- General Medicine
- Maternity
- Reproductive and child health services
- Mental Health and Rehabilitation Unit
The sisters are in charge of the mental health unit. This center in Ghana is a response to the poor service provided to the mentally ill in the area. For example, some of the activities include:
- Educational courses and vocational training.
- Craft activities.
- OLEMIX workshop.
- Bottled water workshop.
- Palm oil production.
Elmina
It is currently preparing to launch a new project aimed at offering comprehensive daytime therapeutic programs for children with special needs and mental health requirements, while simultaneously providing specialized training in therapies for special needs.
This visit, which is part of the General Canonical Visit to the Delegation of England, aims to learn about, accompany, and evaluate the hospitable activity carried out in these countries, where a significant number of people with mental illness are cared for through a wide range of services.
We perform this service in communion with our sister Idília María Carneiro, Superior General, who convenes this Canonical Visit following the guidelines of the Congregation.
During the visit, we were able to learn firsthand about the work of each center and how it aligns with the Hospital Model, greeting patients and listening to both the sisters and their collaborators. It is a privileged moment to express our gratitude for the daily service provided to those who benefit from our mission and to strengthen our shared responsibility in the hospitaller culture that unites us.
We thank the Congregation for this opportunity, as well as for the warm welcome and availability of everyone.
