Recovery facility for Orthopaedic Centre at Adoagyiri inaugurated
A 10-bedroom recovery facility for male amputees receiving treatment at an Orthopaedic Training Centre (OTC) at Adoagyiri in the Eastern Region has been inaugurated.
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The project, estimated at 60,000 Australian Dollars (GH¢180,792), will not only provide shelter to the amputees, but also create a conducive environment for their quick recovery.
Funded by the Direct Aid Programme of the Australian Government, each room of the edifice is furnished with two beds, toilet and bath, as well as other special accessories to aid in the fast recovery of patients.
Support
The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Andrew Barnes, who inaugurated the facility last Thursday, said the project formed part of the Australian government’s consistent contributions towards disability inclusion in Ghana.
He noted that the Australian High Commission, which understood the challenges of disability, also recognised that given favourable systems, support and improved services, persons with disability (PWDs) could make enormous contributions to development.
“This is why we are pleased to have supported this and other important initiatives that are aimed at minimising barriers, improving service delivery and the lives of PWDs.
“Our consistent, albeit modest contributions in the area of disability are in line with the Australian government’s commitment to empower PWDs and to ensure that development leaves no one behind.
“It is, therefore, truly an honour for us to be able to partner with organisations such as the OTC to bring hope and smiles to PWDs, and our partnership makes it possible for us to support and further Australia’s objectives of ensuring inclusive development in developing countries,” Mr Barnes stated.
The high commissioner commended the management and staff of the OTC for their commitment and support to PWDs.
Significance
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, said had the OTC not been established, many amputees in Ghana would have been confined to their homes.
According to him, the centre generated no income but rather spent on many beneficiary amputees regardless of their religion, gender and backgrounds.
Disability
For her part, the Coordinator of the OTC, Sister Elisabeth Newman, said currently, 10 per cent of the world’s population, representing 650 million people, were living with disability, with a higher percentage being females.
She explained that of the 10 per cent PWDs, eight per cent lived in developing countries, including Ghana, where, according to a recent census, 10 per cent of the populace lived with disability.
“Of the 10 per cent population living with disability in Ghana, 31.6 per cent live with physical disability,” she added.
The coordinator, however, expressed worry over the lack of statistics on amputees in the country. “When we checked with the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, the only statistics they have are amputations due to diabetes and not statistics on amputations due to other causes such as accidents,” Sister Elizabeth added.
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