Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) can occur following stroke, neurological disease, head and neck cancer, traumatic injury, and many other medical conditions. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, patients are at increased risk of aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, and reduced quality of life.

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One Less Drop is partnering with the Speech-Language Pathology Department at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital to expand its ability to evaluate and treat swallowing disorders. Our goal is to strengthen the department through education, hands-on training, and the introduction of advanced instrumental swallowing assessments.

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During our upcoming mission, we will provide specialized training in the evaluation and management of dysphagia while working alongside local speech-language pathologists to develop a sustainable swallowing disorders program. Rather than training a single clinician, our objective is to help build the knowledge and skills of the entire department so that patients continue to benefit long after each mission has ended.

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A major component of this initiative is the planned introduction of Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). We are currently working to obtain the donation of a flexible endoscopic system that will allow Cape Coast Teaching Hospital to perform this form of objective instrumental swallowing evaluation.

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FEES enables clinicians to directly visualize the swallowing process, providing critical information that cannot be obtained through a bedside swallowing evaluation alone. This technology helps determine which foods and liquids are safe for a patient to consume, identifies the underlying cause of swallowing impairment, and guides individualized rehabilitation through targeted therapy and exercise programs.

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By combining advanced clinician training with modern diagnostic technology, we hope to establish a sustainable swallowing disorders program that improves patient care, expands local expertise, and provides access to a higher level of care for patients throughout the region.