Mid Yorkshire surgeon shares specialist expertise with surgeons in Ghana | News

Specialist surgical expertise used to care for patients at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust is helping to develop the skills of surgeons thousands of miles away in Ghana.

Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Mr Sunil Sah spent three days in Ghana in July, where, as part of his study leave, he delivered specialist training in advanced head and neck reconstructive surgery in partnership with the University of Ghana Medical School.

Mr Sah specialises in complex reconstructive surgery, with his clinical expertise supporting the care of patients here at Mid Yorkshire for over 12 years. Alongside his clinical role, he has a longstanding commitment to surgical education and sharing his specialist knowledge with surgeons internationally.

The course in Ghana brought together 20 surgeons, from senior trainees to consultants, to develop their skills in complex head and neck reconstruction.

Importantly, the programme is focused on building sustainable expertise within Ghana. Rather than providing short-term surgical support, the aim is to equip local surgeons with advanced skills they can use to treat their own patients and, in time, share with other surgeons.

Mr Sah, who chairs the Norman Rowe International Education Foundation, said:

“Sharing skills and knowledge is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. Alongside caring for patients here at Mid Yorkshire, having opportunities to teach, develop others and share expertise more widely is something I find incredibly fulfilling.

“The aim of this work is to give surgeons the skills and confidence to deliver these techniques themselves and, in time, pass that knowledge on to others. It was a privilege to work with such an enthusiastic group of surgeons in Ghana and to see their commitment to developing reconstructive surgery for their patients.”

Pre-course assessments identified a need for further training in advanced reconstruction for patients with head and neck cancer and major facial defects. Follow-up evaluation showed that participants reported increased confidence in performing free flap reconstruction techniques after completing the course.

Mr Sah plans to return to Ghana in January 2027 to deliver further training in microvascular reconstruction. The longer-term ambition is to support Ghana to develop as a regional training hub, enabling knowledge and expertise to be shared with surgeons across West and Sub-Saharan Africa.

He has also supported reconstructive surgery training programmes in Nepal. His work is one example of how the specialist expertise our patients benefit from at Mid Yorkshire can also be shared with healthcare professionals across the world, helping to develop skills and strengthen local services for the longer term.

It also reflects Mid Yorkshire’s commitment as a teaching Trust to developing people, sharing knowledge and supporting high-quality education and training – both within the Trust and beyond.