I'm hoping the blog-reading Ghanaian community may be able to jump in and help with this. A relative in Ghana (brother-in-law: 11 years old) incurred a spinal cord injury just before the doctor's strike almost 4 weeks ago. He also broke his leg and arm. He fell from a tree he was climbing, as kids do. Something that could have happened to any of us growing up.
He was moved from Bawku/Bolga/Tamale to Konfo Anokye just in time to be admitted before the strike and have scans. C4 burst fracture. Significant damage. He's now paralysed from the neck down. Other complications happened during the strike (which doctors refused to treat) but he recovered, just.
Challenge: We cannot get any meaningful information from the neurosurgeon team at Konfo Anokye, even after the resumption of work. (There was almost no treatment for the 3 weeks of the doctor's strike).
There is no phone directory or online directory for spinal specialists in Ghana as we're seeking a second opinion. We would greatly appreciate it if anyone can recommend a spinal specialist in the south of Ghana, private or public facility, it doesn't matter. The trauma and neuro unit now want to discharge him and send him back to Bolga saying they can't do anything. Before he makes that journey, we would like to try and get him in to another facility, but we just don't know where to start.
We've combed Google search, of course, and located many (yet to be completed) spinal hospitals, but simply cannot find any one clinic where private individuals can enter for their own checks and treatment.
Any help with names, hospitals, personal contacts to surgeons, would be much appreciated. You can contact me at gaylepescud@gmail.com or godwin@g-lish.org with any info.
He was moved from Bawku/Bolga/Tamale to Konfo Anokye just in time to be admitted before the strike and have scans. C4 burst fracture. Significant damage. He's now paralysed from the neck down. Other complications happened during the strike (which doctors refused to treat) but he recovered, just.
Challenge: We cannot get any meaningful information from the neurosurgeon team at Konfo Anokye, even after the resumption of work. (There was almost no treatment for the 3 weeks of the doctor's strike).
There is no phone directory or online directory for spinal specialists in Ghana as we're seeking a second opinion. We would greatly appreciate it if anyone can recommend a spinal specialist in the south of Ghana, private or public facility, it doesn't matter. The trauma and neuro unit now want to discharge him and send him back to Bolga saying they can't do anything. Before he makes that journey, we would like to try and get him in to another facility, but we just don't know where to start.
We've combed Google search, of course, and located many (yet to be completed) spinal hospitals, but simply cannot find any one clinic where private individuals can enter for their own checks and treatment.
Any help with names, hospitals, personal contacts to surgeons, would be much appreciated. You can contact me at gaylepescud@gmail.com or godwin@g-lish.org with any info.
Hi, i am a therapist working in the Eastern Region. I believe there is a neurologist in Kumasi who consults on a Wednesday at the district hospital there. You would need a referral from the current treating doctor first in order to see them. Otherwise I believe neurologists are hard to come by in Ghana and generally treatment is basic post SCI. I would advise calling ahead due to difficulties of transport etc. Sorry I do not have much other information to help you out. But i really do hope that things work out for this 11 year old kid!! Tragic situation
ReplyDeleteHope this is not too late. One of the Best Neurosurgeons in Ghana - Dr. Nii Bonney Andrews - American trained,
ReplyDeletehttp://www.noworriesghana.com/sections/health/item/1602-dr-nii-bonney-andrews
Thanks so much for the comments and the many, many emails and phone calls we received from people with contacts and offers of help. I realised the power of blogging after posting this. There is a wonderful community of Ghanaians blogging and online who are reading and prepared to help if you ask. Thank you!
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