To Dr Puplampu

I was 12 years old when I first met Dr Puplampu.? He was working at 37 Military Hospital at the time.? I had been seen at Korle bu initially, and then the doctor wrote a referral to him specifically. I do not really remember details of our first meeting, but he must have made a significant impression. Because after meeting him, all I ever wanted to be, was a neurosurgeon.? I would see him periodically over the next year, and the conviction just strengthened.? He would remain an icon, usually from afar for the rest of my secondary, tertiary education and professional life, but about 5 years ago we really connected, because I had decided to take private neurosurgery seriously.? It was a journey he would encourage me to push ahead with.

He stressed the importance of having my own instruments, and gave me some to start a collection with. Over some time, I would gather some in addition. There came a day, when I was refused a role to play in the public sector, and tossed adrift professionally, and it was these tools that would lend me some relevance, and enable me to support my family.? The advice that Dr Puplampu gave, was based on his experience. He had returned to Ghana after his training in the US, and pushed through the ravages of a system that neither empowered him nor equipped him.

Years later, when Dr Puplampu replaced his knees, the orthopaedic surgeon had an admonition for the neurosurgeon.? He blamed brain aneurysms for the state of Dr Puplampu’s knees.? He blamed all the long hours of operating in Michigan for the poor state of his knees. Dr Puplampu joined the Ghanaian Ministry of Health in the 1980s, and in 2024, we have neither the equipment nor the expertise to operatively treat brain aneurysms. There is always a consequence for communal failure to invest into innovation. He was empowered to do much more in Michigan, than he would ever achieve in Ghana. Thankfully I did not have an aneurysm that he had to clip, and he was here in Ghana, and not in Michigan, when I needed help.? And help me he did.

Dr Puplampu was buried this week.? I think of him, and what he did for me, and the so many others who got better, because he was here.? I think of how much so many other doctors have given, without the ecosystem that enables them to optimise an actualise, or teach others to, and I am grateful.? And sad too, because of the many millions of dollars worth, of potential that has been lost over the years.? And the many lost years that we will never be able to recover. I am struck by the tragedy that zero planning creates, and the blessing of the few who dare to carry the torch even when the flame lacks fuel.

Today there are 26 neurosurgeons and counting. The ills of a country which has no strategy to provide the comprehensive solutions that our big problems deserve, persist.? In the depths of our need however, the heroes arise. The men and women who look beyond the failures of their community, overcome the difficulties of suboptimal actualisation of the their dreams, and keep the healing going.? In a country where communal financing favours death way above life, may these torches still burn bright.? May the valiant teachers in our medical schools, the surgeons in our public hospitals, the medics in the field working in ecosystems which are under-financed, under- planned, and over-stretched, prevail.? May their presence continue to generate the small victories that produce more medics for a country? on its knees, health-wise.

May more Dr Puplampus arise.