‘We have only 12 neurosurgeons serving the country’s population’ – Neurology Society of Ghana laments
President of the Neurology Society of Ghana, Dr Albert Akpalu, has expressed worry about the shortage of medical professionals in their field within the country.
He says the low number of neurosurgeons in the country has contributed to the gap in treatment of diseases and conditions that affect the human nervous system.
Speaking to JoyNews at the launch of the Society on Friday, May 27, he stated that there are only 12 neurosurgeons in the country catering for the whole population.
“Neurologists are far and few, and we are hoping to increase the numbers; currently, we are 12 in number from 1 in 2004. So, we have multiplied the numbers and we have about 12 more in training.
“We are hoping to have one neurologist per region to improve neurology care but we are having a lot of collaborations with the neurologist nurses,” he said.
Neurology is critical in healthcare delivery.
It is the branch of science that specialises in investigating, diagnosing and treating conditions like stroke, seizures, movement disorders and other diseases associated with the nervous system.
But workers in the field are not enough.
Dr Akpalu says there are ongoing collaborations to ensure the number of health workers who specialise in that field are increased.
On his part, the Vice President of the Society, Dr Patrick Adjei, mentioned stigma as one of the challenges associated with neurological diseases.
He noted that in most occasions, the stigma is triggered by superstitious beliefs; hence, the need to continue creating public awareness of the condition.
This, he believes, would also enhance care given to patients with conditions.
Meanwhile, the Country Manager of Roche, Dr Philip Anderson, is optimistic their partnership with the group will yield the needed results.
Roche is a Swiss multinational company that operates worldwide under two divisions – pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.
It is partnering the Society to boost neurology healthcare delivery in the country.
