Ghana has only 15 active neurosurgeons
A Neurosurgeon at the Cocoa Clinic in Accra has expressed worry about the shortage of medical professionals in that category in the country, noting that the situation has contributed to a gap in the treatment of diseases and conditions affecting the nervous system.
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Dr Kafui Tamakloe, who is also a Senior Medical Manager at the Cocoa Clinic in Accra, said there were currently 15 active neurosurgeons in the country to cater for the whole population.
Editors Forum
Dr Tamakloe expressed the concern when he delivered a talk on spinal problems in Accra yesterday. The talk on the topic, “What you need to know about spinal problems”, was organised by the Editors Forum as part of activities to mark its 10th anniversary.
The Editors Forum is a group of editors, senior journalists and media educators affiliated to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
Although it is more of a peer review mechanism working mostly behind the scenes, the forum is also an avenue to applaud and share best practices in the profession.
Need for more neurosurgeons
Dr Tamakloe said young doctors needed to be motivated and encouraged to venture into that field, to fill the gap which would widen as the neurosurgeons in practice approached retirement.
He said spinal problems constituted the second reason people sought medical attention, adding that it also accounted for 15 per cent of sick leave from work and were the most common cause of disability for persons above 45 years.
On some of the causes of spinal problems, Dr Tamakloe mentioned inappropriate way of standing, sitting, lying down, sleeping, as well as wearing of high heels.
Others, he said, included genetic disorders, accidents, infections, tumors and cancers.
Symptoms, prevention, treatment
Giving some of the symptoms of spinal problems, he mentioned limbs, neck or low back pains that are associated with numbness, burning and tingling sensations.
Aside from the surgical form of treatment for spinal problems, which is usually the last resort, Dr Tamakloe said there were other forms of treatments such as rest, medication and physical therapy.
To prevent spinal problems, particularly those that are degenerative, Dr Tamakloe advised proper sitting, standing, lying and walking. He also encouraged regular and proper exercising.
He added that eating a balanced diet and taking dietary supplements were also ways to prevent spinal problems, pointing out that it is better to prevent spinal problems, because when the situation deteriorates, it is difficult to reverse the damage.
However, Dr Tamakloe said, the surgical procedures were expensive.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairperson of the Editors Forum, Ms Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, said from time to time, the forum organised public fora to discuss national or topical issues such as health, bearing in mind the sedentary nature of most media work.