Teddy Totimeh: A Neurosurgical Practice in Ghana and Documenting Healthcare Frustrations

Change Africa Podcast

Teddy Totimeh is a Ghanaian pediatric neurosurgeon and writer.

Teddy reflects on his unconventional journey to becoming one of only 20 Ghana-based neurosurgeons, the challenges of his profession in a developing country, and the state and requirements for the transformation of the Ghanaian health care sector.

His versatile interests, ability to seek inspiration from all aspects of life and reflective writing skills allow him to vividly paint the situation of the Ghanaian health care sector and the demands on a neurosurgeon in such an environment. He describes how Ghanaian neurosurgeons have to perform across different specialties and improvise with limited equipment at hand. Amazingly, Teddy navigates these challenges with a mixture of wisdom, grit, and a mindset of collaboration.

Brain drain is a common phenomenon in many Ghanaian sectors but is even more pronounced for doctors; Teddy, however, dissects this thematic from different perspectives. He describes the fallacy of demanding foreign-based Ghanaian medical professionals to return to Ghana, which he calls immoral. Instead, he calls for private-focused entrepreneurs to disrupt the sector through medical entrepreneurship and the spirit of collaboration.

Check out his latest book, Aluta Insomnia; a collection of his essays at the intersection of his life and work, in which he is exploring the beauty and challenges he sees around him. Find copies globally at Amazon or purchase copies at Booknook in Ghana.

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