Ghana commemorates Scoliosis Awareness Day


As part of measures to curb the menace of Scoliosis in Ghana, Scoliosis Foundation Ghana, a not-for-profit organization in partnership with the Ministry of Health, FOCOS Orthopedic Hospital and other key stakeholders have organized a sensitization forum in Accra on Saturday, June 25, 2016 to commemorate the International Scoliosis Awareness Day to educate the public and raise awareness on the disease.
Gabriel Ntow Quao, Founder & CEO of Scoliosis Foundation Ghana
The International Awareness Day is a day set aside globally to create awareness and sensitize people on the need to prevent Scoliosis, its detection, treatment and cure.

The theme for this year’s event is “Early detection, early prevention”.

The event kick started with a public float through the streets of Accra in the morning. It ended at the Mantse Agbona Park near James Town where various speakers took turns to address the participants on the significance of the day, charging every Ghanaian to support the fight against Scoliosis.

Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia in a speech read on his behalf by Mr. George Kyeremeh, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at the Ministry of Health appealed to Ghanaians to take advantage of the day and report cases early on the condition at any nearby health facility for management in order to avoid future deformities.

Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to abnormally curve sideways into an “S” or “C” shape which is surprisingly common although many people are unaware of the condition. It is typically classified as either congenital (caused by vertebral anomalies present at birth), idiopathic (cause unknown) or secondary to a primary condition. It is known to affect about 3% of the world’s population: with an onset at a younger age (usually between 10 and 15 years. In most African societies Scoliosis as a whole is seen as a curse and a disease caused by the supernatural. Affected individuals are sometimes stigmatized and discriminated against.

According to health experts, the condition can be controlled by early diagnosis which is the first step towards providing treatment that may prevent more serious problems.

The Health Minister’s statement suggested Scoliosis is manageable depending on the severity of the condition (curvature and skeletal maturity). He indicated although early detection is the key, conventional options for children, adolescents and adults normally include surgery, bracing, physiotherapy and sometimes with pain medication to help relieve pain.

He commended Scoliosis Foundation Ghana and its partners for the invaluable services including awareness creation, early detection and treatment of people suffering from the condition within different communities in Ghana over the years.

“It is heartwarming to note this initiative has in no small way helped to bring hope and care to people living with the condition. This is highly commendable and worthy of emulation and once again I say Ayekoo to Scoliosis Foundation Ghana and all its allies,” said Hon. Alex Segbefia.

In his address, Gabriel Ntow Quao, Founder and CEO of Scoliosis Foundation Ghana, noted victims of Scoliosis go through a lot of problems, stemming from their inability to work to social alienation.

“The condition impacts Ghana’s labor force negatively and creates ‘social alienation’ of its victims,” he indicated.

Mr. Gabriel Quao pledges his outfit’s unrelenting commitment to vigorously create awareness so as to help people overcome the health challenges posed by Scoliosis in Ghana and encourage all stakeholders to support the initiative.

Speaking in an interview with Journalists, Mr. Quao disclosed that his predicament as a victim to the condition which has caused him so much discomfort does not deprive him of the passion to support other victims in the same situation.

“I have chosen to change my pain into passion by helping support other victims in the same situation. I would like to help others in the awareness creation for early detection and treatment and equally seek support for them towards possible surgeries,” he stressed.

When asked how much is needed for his surgery to rectify his condition, Mr. Quao with a sorrowful voice condition said,

“For now I can only look up to only God above for help since I cannot afford to pay an amount GH₵ 88,000 which doctors are demanding from me to correct my condition.”

The Founder and CEO of Scoliosis Foundation Ghana is therefore calling on Corporate Ghana, Institutions, Churches and Philanthropic individuals to come to their aid and donate cash or kind to support the organization propagate the message of hope and save the nation from the dangers of Scoliosis. The Foundation can be contacted through the internet
www.scoliosisghana.org  and on telephone number 0542440967 for support or further information relating concerning the condition.

Scoliosis Foundation Ghana has been instrumental in engaging various stakeholders including traditional leaders, schools, various youth groups, and remote communities in different activities all geared towards awareness creation. Some of these activities include education and screening, public video shows, testimonies from victims and drama.
Scoliosis of Foundation of Ghana event team
The event brought together stakeholders in the health sector including Ministry of Health Chiefs and Queen mothers of Accra, Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Chief Imam and student under one umbrella to support and raise awareness on the condition and the way forward in ending Scoliosis in Ghana. It was organized by Scoliosis Foundation and supported by The Ministry of Health FOCOS Orthopedic Hospital, Kelvin’s Spine’s Foundation, Voltic Mineral Water, Paulus Electricals, Maji Water among others.

CLICK THE LINK(S) BELOW FOR MORE NEWS:

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/health/Scoliosis-Foundation-Ghana-holds-sensitization-forum-451807 


http://www.modernghana.com/news/700476/ghana-joins-the-world-to-commemorate-scoliosis-awareness-da.html
 

http://spynewsagency.com/ghana-commemorates-scoliosis-awareness-day/ 

http://ourblurbonline.com/1.9420040 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Photo of a man with amazingly ‘super head’ causes a stir on social media

Image
Many eyes have seen it but are yet to believe. To those who are convinced that God's creature exits on earth with such a weird shape of head have been left totally flabbergasted and worried too.That is human nature; doubting Thomases everywhere. A man whose photo has been making rounds on social media platforms has been the one in the centre of a huge controversy that rendered onlookers astounded and divided. The photograph in question has really created a scene that is of comic relief and over-sensational. The problem per se is not about his facial appearance but borders specifically on the 'caricature' shape of his head coupled with his jaw-jutting chin which has become the point of attraction at all cost.  It appears no amount of words could best describe the shape of his 'Hill-Valley-Hill Head' which looks very sparkling without hairs on it.  But some social media users who caught sight of the photograph have been reacting with varying...
Read more

Samsung opens ultramodern showroom in Accra

Image
Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA), Africa’s largest electronic company has partnered with Electroland Ghana Limited to open an ultramodern brand store in Accra aimed at offering customers   relaxed environment for the needed shopping satisfaction. The move forms part of efforts to maintain its position as the largest electronics company in Africa and to ensure consumers have easy access to world-class innovative electronic appliance and smart devices.   The new premium brand store, a magnificent building which can be spotted at Ring Road Central Former Alibert Building, near Paloma Hotel (about 200 meters away from the Kwame Nkrumah interchange, Circle, Accra) comes with a product experience zone and    full range of Samsung Digital Appliances and other Smart devices to give customers true satisfaction. It also seek to offer   consumers   the exclusive opportunities to experience the latest range of Samsung’s luxury products which includ...
Read more

Video: Saving lives, contributing to achieving SDGs; the success story of Human Rights Reporters Ghana

Image
  In a bid to help end the kidnappings as well as the burgeoning human rights and social issues in Ghana and beyond, the Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) in 2019 embarked on a ‘Nationwide Sensitization Campaign on Kidnapping, Teenage, Pregnancy and Tramadol/Drug Abuse’ (KTT). The campaign, popularly known as the ‘KTT Project’, focused on addressing issues of kidnapping, teenage pregnancy and drug abuse but equally set about creating a deeper education on human rights to bring about a cultural change. The ‘messiah initiative’ which saw a dedicated team of young volunteers in communities, schools and religious settings within three regions of the country managed to reach over 60,000 Ghanaians over two years sensitizing them on the most pressing and critical and social issues Ghana is facing.   HRRG team of volunteers The HRRG is a non-governmental organization (NGO) which brings together journalists, news editors, human rights activists, advocates, defenders and la...
Read more