Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) Foundation launched in Cape Coast

By Afedzi Abdullah, GNA

Cape Coast, May 8, GNA - The Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) Foundation Ghana has been launched in Cape Coast with a call on stakeholders to lead the research and render good medical treatment and care management to persons living with the disease.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as Brittle Bone Disease, is a generic disorder that causes bones to break easily with or without any known reason.

Symptoms include short stature, abnormal spinal curvatures, low bone density, hearing loss, bone deformity, brittle teeth and respiratory issues.

The Foundation aims, among other things, to create awareness of OI, advocate for quality care and treatment for patients and help people understand, respect, accept and improve the quality of life of people living with the disease.

Ghana is the second country in West Africa after Nigeria where OI Foundation operated.

Mrs Justina Yiadom Boakye, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of OI Foundation, said the Foundation sought to help improve the quality of life as well as counselling and mutual support for individuals and families living with OI in Ghana.

She said the Foundation would solicit for adaptive aides and mobility equipment for people living with OI, source for funding for OI care and establish a comfortable home for rejected OI children.

She said there was the need for the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the medical schools, corporate and religious bodies and individuals to support the care of OI patients in the country.

Professor Harold Amonoo-Koufi, the Provost of College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, said proper coordination among service providers was key to enriching the lives of children with disabilities and also alleviate the burden on their parents.

He said physical and occupational therapists, physicians, dietitians, social workers, teachers and counsellors worked in coordination and charged them to play an important role in educating and helping parents to cope with the challenges involved in having children with OI.

He said with good medical management and supportive care, majority of people who had OI would be able to live healthy and productive lives and expect an average life span

Mr Kwamena Duncan, The Central Regional Minister, commended the OI Foundation for its effort in raising awareness on the disease and expressed the optimism that it would go a long way to alleviate the burden on OI patients and their families.

He gave the assurance that government would support the necessary research and treatment modalities for persons living with brittle bones and called on the corporate world to show commitment in that direction.

Mr Duncan, therefore, called for effective collaboration between policy makers and all categories of healthcare providers to educate the public on OI.

GNA

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