"It is an honour of a lifetime to share this great feat and experiences, especially in Deutschland. I am Thomas Kwadwo Hinneh, a Senior Officer of the Ghana Health Service and a Co-Founder and Director of HI Foundation Ghana. I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. Internationally, I am a member of the health professionals’ network of the International Federation of Diabetes and a Fellow of the African Changemakers’ initiative among others.
The decision to study in Germany and for that matter the Heidelberg University’s Institute of Global Health was not an easy one. In 2019, I was awarded four globally most competitive scholarships in the world and I recount my experience so far in Germany as one of the most transforming events in my life. My passion for addressing the burden of Hypertension and Diabetes transcends beyond the borders of assisting clients to cope with their daily lives but also embracing the emerging medical evolution in long-term disease management. While in Germany I had the opportunity to participate in one of the largest expert debates on endocrinology and diabetes and I believe I am well placed in addressing gaps in diabetes management in Ghana.
As per the course arrangement, I arrived in the beautiful city of Cologne at the Carl Duisberg Centren to acquaint myself with the German language before the commencement of the main course; indeed this was both exciting and challenging. The Master of Science International Health program at the Heidelberg University is highly recognized for providing the relevant tools and skills needed to address issues of health beyond national borders with much emphasis on low and middle-income countries. The academic excellence of the institute is reflected in numerous international rankings. Key elements of the course that provides participants with much-needed industry skills are led by accomplished academics and policy analyst from the World Health Organization, The German Center for Cancer and other internationally reputable agencies. My project looks at the emerging challenges with diabetes among pregnant women and associated implications on the unborn child. I look forward to an exciting future after this program by leading innovative programs on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease management in Ghana and the sub-region.
Germany is a land of medicine and innovative research with accomplished researchers and experts.
So weit, ist es gut." ©Thomas Kwadwo Hinneh
