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‘Don’t stigmatise children with clubfoot’
Healthworkers at 37 Military Hospital attending to a child with clubfoot
The Head of Orthopaedics and Trauma Unit at the 37 Military Hospital, Lt. Col. Delali Adzigbli, has advised the public not to stigmatise mothers who give birth to babies with clubfoot.
Describing clubfoot as a “spontaneous deformity”, he said the condition did not affect only the poor neither was it a fault from the baby or mother, therefore, “there is no reason anybody should be stigmatised.”
He said the condition was treated free of charge and children could grow up to live normal lives, hence money should not be an impediment to anyone seeking treatment for the condition.
“When the baby is born, the tissues are very soft so they respond very well to manipulation and as they mature, they are able to stretch out and allow the feet to assume their natural position and that is the aim of the treatment,” he stated.
Lt. Col Adzigbli made the remarks last Thursday when the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) and Hope Walks, a non-governmental organisation, collaborated with the 37 Military Hospital to mark this year’s World Clubfoot Day.
“Clubfoot is a birth defect in which one or both feet of a child is/are twisted inwards and downwards. About one in 1,000 babies born in Ghana have the deformity.
The commemoration was to create awareness and provide treatment for children with the condition. About 15 children born with clubfoot at different stages of treatment were attended to by health workers at Osei Kwame Despite Block at the 37 Military Hospital.
Lt. Col Adzigbli, explaining the treatment process, noted that an assessment was done to determine the severity of deformity before it was corrected stage by stage.
He said early detection was appropriate but the condition could still be corrected if the child was older. “The earlier treatment is started, the better”, he said.
Pastor Joseph Andrews, Parent Advisor at the Osei Kwame Despite Block at the 37 Millitary Hospital, also debunked myths associated with clubfoot and asked parents not to fret when they saw signs of the condition in new borns.
“It is a sickness like polio, chickenpox or measles, it affects everyone so don’t hide your baby; just come out and receive treatment,” he said.
Nana Afua Adutwumaa Adjeitey, Programme Manager CHAG/Hope Walks, was impressed with the awareness and the impact the organisation continued to make.
She said the organisation would intensify education and continue to support treatment for clubfoot.
Ms. Esther Esi Gyekye, Clinic Supervisor at the Children’s Block, indicated that about 30 cases of clubfoot were being managed at the facility and more parents were turning up with their wards for treatment.
Apart from the 37 Military Hospital, treatment for clubfoot is available free of charge on selected days at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, St. John of God Hospital, Duayaw-Nkwanta, Bono Ahafo, SDA Hospital, Kwadaso, Kumasi, every Friday and SDA Hospital, Gbawe, Accra.
By Ernest Nutsugah
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammy Awuku, has expressed deep sorrow following the sudden passing of Isaac Batsa, the constituency secretary for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker issued a statement on Tuesday reacting to the news, which has shocked the local political community.
Mr.Awuku praised the late NDC secretary for his bipartisan approach to local governance.
He noted that despite their different political affiliations, Batsa consistently rose above party lines to serve the constituency with diligence.
The MP revealed that the news was particularly shocking given that he had last interacted with Batsa just three days prior on Saturday.
Concluding his statement, Sammy Awuku extended his heartfelt condolences to Batsa’s family, the constituency and regional executives, and the entire NDC fraternity, wishing the deceased peaceful eternal rest.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
