Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and specialists from Imperial College NHS Trust in the United Kingdom have successfully performed four complex brain aneurysm surgeries as part of a new partnership aimed at establishing a sustainable neurovascular service in Ghana.

Consultant neurosurgeon Dr Arthur Dalton of Imperial College NHS Trust said the collaboration seeks to build long-term local capacity to diagnose and treat patients suffering from aneurysms and subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Thursday (16 July), Dr Dalton said the partnership began after discussions with Korle Bu neurosurgeon Dr Hadi M Abdulla in London in 2024.

“Our vision is to help create a long-term sustainable neurovascular service here in Ghana,” he said.

He disclosed that the joint surgical team had completed four major brain operations within three days.

The procedures involved placing tiny surgical clips across aneurysms—abnormal balloon-like bulges that develop on weakened sections of brain arteries—to prevent potentially fatal bleeding.

“We have successfully cured the patients of their underlying aneurysms by placing a clip across the neck of the aneurysm,” Dr Dalton said.

He described aneurysms as resembling small balloons protruding from blood vessels.

“The surgery is delicate but elegant. We work through the natural spaces around the brain without cutting through brain tissue whenever possible,” he explained.

The collaboration is expected to provide hands-on training for Ghanaian neurosurgeons while reducing reliance on overseas referrals for specialised neurovascular procedures.