The Department of Clinical Studies at the School of Veterinary Medicine, KNUST has organized a Surgical Exercise for 6th Year Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine students (DVM) on the 25th of March 2022 at the Procedural area in the School’s complex.

The aim of this exercise is to equip students with practical knowledge and hands-on training after their theory sessions in class. On the day, the students were taken through a practical session of Larapotomy which is the entry of the abdominal cavity surgically. The procedure was done on a dog by Dr. David Mckenzie, a visiting lecturer from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University – USA.

Dr. David Mckenzie demonstrated stomach-tube placement in a dog and also observed students perform the process and also assisted where necessary. Dr. Mckenzie noted that this hands-on training will be beneficial to veterinary students in the application of their knowledge from the classroom in a more practical setting.

Dr. Dorcas Oyueley Kodie a lecturer at the Department of Clinical Studies and alumni, revealed that these practical sessions are organized yearly for clinical students to be highly experienced in the job market and also minimize errors in surgical procedures. She further explained that Larapotomy process is essential in performing specific procedures like caesarian sessions, gastronomy, and getting access to the urinary bladder.

The School of Veterinary Medicine, KNUST was established in 2009 to train highly qualified Veterinary Surgeons with sufficient clinical and scientific knowledge and skills needed to respond to animal health and zoonotic challenges in Ghana.