Dr. Anne-Mary Annan from Liberia is currently in Valencia for a healthcare training program by the NGO Surg For All. Annan, who never met her grandfather who died from prostate cancer due to limited healthcare access in her country, is the first woman doctor to receive this training in Spain. Her stay at Hospital Vithas 9 de Octubre will last until June 15.

Annan's path to medicine has been driven by perseverance. After studying in China, where she learned the language and adapted to a new culture, she is now deepening her knowledge of urological techniques in Valencia. Her training covers managing urinary infections, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and urinary retention, as well as urgent care protocols for hospitals with limited resources.

José Luis Rey, manager of Vithas Valencia 9 de Octubre, emphasized the importance of such agreements for international healthcare cooperation. "This agreement facilitates doctors and nurses from African regions to travel to Spain and train with highly qualified professionals," he stated. Annan also highlighted the differences between healthcare systems, noting the digitalization and teamwork in Spain compared to Liberia's manual record-keeping.

Upon her return to Monrovia, Dr. Annan will play a crucial role in developing Surg For All's future urology service, acting as a bridge between specialists and patients. The organization is also constructing Liberia's first urology hospital, a project with a $1 million budget aimed at improving access to specialized treatments.

To continue fundraising, Surg For All will host a charity concert on May 21 in Valencia featuring the band El Canto del Lobo. All proceeds will fund the urology service and the training of local healthcare professionals in Liberia.