Professor Dr Dr Otchere Addai-Mensah, CEO of KATH launching the novel Thrombolysis Clinical Service For Stroke patients at KATH (picture by Alex Asamoah-intern)
KATH Launches Special Clinical Service For Stroke Patients.
The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has commenced a special clinical service tailored specifically for stroke patients that would be admitted to the hospital within an hour or two after the onset of their condition.
Addressing the management and staff as well as doctors, nurses and the media at the official launch of the service, Professor Dr Dr Otchere Addai-Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of KATH said ”it is a privilege to have a novel service medically termed as Thrombolysis to treat and manage stroke cases at this premier facility”.
He noted that stroke was one of the leading causes of deaths at KATH as well as the country as a whole, adding that it was heartwarming to announce such a service to the public, patients and customers of KATH.
‘’I am highly elated that we have gathered here to witness the historic launch of the Stroke Thrombolysis service that is going to save hundreds of stroke patients admitted to this hospital from preventable morbidities and mortalities’’, the CEO stated.
Details:
Prof Addai-Mensah disclosed that the World Health Organisation (WHO) names Stroke as a major health concern in Ghana and estimates that there are about 1.4 million stroke survivors in the country.
This figure, he mentioned, might steadily rise in the coming years due to factors such as growing urbanization, aging population and the onset of sedentary lifestyles among others.
The CEO noted that risk factors such as the rising cases of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption were all contributory factors to the rising trajectory of Strokes in Ghana.
‘’Stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is impaired or reduced resulting in the brain being deprived of oxygen and nutrients’’, the CEO educated.
Consultant Neurosurgeon:
Professor Stephen Sarfo, Consultant Neurosurgeon at KATH said the premier facility admits at least one thousand persons of Stroke related persons.
This, he stated, is about a 500% increase to what the hospital was recording 40 years ago in 1980 but said currently KATH has trained specialists, radiologists and other essential medical practitioners including neurologists to treat patients better.
He noted that with the new technology of Thrombolysis, any patient who is brought to KATH within an hour or two would be treated to ensure blood flows freely to the brain so that they can return them to normalcy.
‘’Currently we will be able to use Thrombolysis, which is a novel and revolutionary service to assess, treat and cure patients who are brought to our facility within the stipulated time and even though the cost is 15, 000.00 patients who can afford can have the chance to live normal lives after the interventions’’, Prof Sarfo stated.
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