By Kodjo Adams, GNA
Accra, June 1, GNA - Dr Dzifa Dey, the Founder of The Rheumatology Initiative (TRI) Ghana, an NGO has said that lupus could be managed with medication and lifestyle changes when diagnosed early.
She said this was critical because early diagnosis can be achieved when people are aware about the disease.
Speaking at the launch of the Initiative, Dr Dey said lupus was an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the body’s organs and in severe cases, organs damage and failure can occur.
She said the initiative was to create awareness about the disease, saying a survey conducted amongst 16,000 adults from 16 different nations by the ‘Lupus Knows No Boundaries’ report commissioned by the World Lupus Federation revealed a high lack of awareness about the disease.
She said most people with lupus usually develop the disease between the ages of 15-44 and that over 90 per cent of people with lupus are women in their most productive ages.
“The reality is that lupus exists, its causes are largely unknown, it has no cure and is a very deadly chronic condition that demands a lot of attention despite what you see with your eyes”, she added.
Dr Dey said in developing countries like Ghana, there was limited access to these lifesaving medications due to financial difficulties, which limit the treatment benefits that can be offered.
The foundation was founded in 2012 to provide education, advocacy and research into the autoimmune rheumatic condition in the country and Africa which focus on young and adolescent persons.
Dr Dey said as part of strategies to achieve the aims of the initiative, the foundation has set up a support group-Rheusolute for young and adolescent persons with autoimmune conditions.
She said the foundation has developed and implemented an open support-therapy group for people living with various autoimmune diseases in the country, provide safe, conducive and affirmative environment for people living with the disease.
“We have established a Patient Assistance Programme to provide emergency financial assistance to people with a life altering diagnosis of lupus who have high financial need and provided training for long-term empowering solution”.
She appealed to all-spirited philanthropist and corporate organisations to fund the foundation as well as support the initiative to create the awareness about the disease for early diagnosis and management.
“Lupus must not continue to go un-noticed; it should not be the silent killer that no one talks about it. We must open the channels of communication with patients to figure out what their needs are and provide them with information and resources.”
GNA
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS