“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney.

During interactions with his colleagues in basic school, he had constantly talked about becoming a medical doctor although he was not certain where the support would come from.

He was a teenager when his father died so there was hardly any hope of furthering his education beyond Junior High School.But by dint of hard work, tenacity and the support of his uncle, he has been able to achieve a dream which initially appeared unattainable.

That is the story of Dr. Richard Baiden, an Obstetrician Gynaecologist and the Medical Director at the Kaneshie Medical Centre, a subsidiary of The Community Hospitals Group in Accra, when he spoke about aspects of life and career in an interview with The Spectator.

Background

The specialist, who recently graduated from the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra, started his education at Beach Road Primary School at Saltpond popularly called ‘Akyemfo’ in the Central Region and continued at Lower Town Junior High School, where he obtained Basic Education Certificate in 2002.

“When I completed Junior High School, I wanted to go to Mfantsipim Secondary School but I had to drop the idea due to financial reasons.

“My uncle who was working at the Obuasi Mines at the time suggested I join him to enroll at Obuasi Secondary School,” he recalled.

At Obuasi Secondary School, he got a government scholarship based on his academic performance in Science.

Determined to make a mark, he worked harder and his final examination (Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) topped the scores in the Obuasi District in 2005.

In 2006, he gained admission to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Medical School and graduated with Bachelor of Science (Bsc) Human Biology and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) in 2012.

After graduation, he did a two-year housemanship first at KomfoAnokye Teaching Hospital,Kumasi, and later at Asante AkyemAgogoPresby Hospital, all in the Ashanti Region and relocated to Accra in 2014 to join The Community Hospitals Group.

In 2019, he began the specialisation course and successfully completed in September 2022. In the course of his studies and career, he further obtained certificate in Leadership in Management and Health from the University of Washington. 

Road to medicine

From humble beginnings, Dr. Baiden, acknowledged the rugged road he took from childhood through to medical school. Nonetheless, his personal commitment and divine intervention had contributed to the progress made over the years.

“I nearly gave up in my second and third year in the university. I was getting support but the financial challenges were still daunting but any time the thought of quitting came to mind, I had to reflect on where I came from and pick myself up and continue moving.

“I had a dream; I wanted to be a doctor but I didn’t know how it was going to happen but somehow it happened. It has been tough but somehow God saw me through,” he noted.

Impact

Having risen through the ranks to become a Medical Director, Dr. Baiden is one of the key specialists in-charge of maternity at the Ashongman Community Hospital and Kaneshie Medical Centre who help women undergo safe delivery.

Through collaboration and support from staff and team members, these facilities since their inception have been receiving positive feedback from patients as it continues to provide quality and reliable health services to the general public.

Apart from Kaneshie, The Community Hospitals Group has four other branches at Ashongman and Ashaiman, in Accra, and Oda and Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region.

The group provides holistic healthcare services in General Consultation, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Eye care, treatment for Ear, Nose and Throat, Paediatrics, among others.

Breast care

In line with the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign in the month of October, Dr. Baiden maintains that “breast cancer is curable if detected early.”

He says every woman should endeavour to know the anatomy (structure) of their breasts so they can quickly report and seek help from doctors when “there are any changes at any point in time.”

“It is important women pick a day in their monthly cycle (preferrably two or three days after their menses) to examine their breasts. Women who do not know how to do self-breast examination can visit any hospital or health facility close to them and be taught,” he notes.

Beyond self-examination, he again recommends clinical breast examination, at least once a year, for women aged 40 and above.

Future

Dr. Baiden, expressing optimism about the future of the Kaneshie Medical Centre, hopes to impact the community positively in the years ahead.

Advice

The Medical Director has, therefore, urged aspiring doctors to follow their passion, adding that “there are lots of medical schools these days” andstudents should not limit their options.

“Medical school could be tough but the key thing is determination and perseverance. No matter what you go through, just remember that others have been there and they made it so you can. At the end of the day, the hustle would pay off,” he points out.

He is a staunch member of the International Central Gospel Church and married to Ms Christian Prisca Ofosu, a midwife. They have three children.

By Ernest Nutsugah