Today, the practice of Rheumatology in Ghana is in its infancy, still struggling to take off. Many people with rheumatic diseases in Ghana are not even aware that there is a specialty called Rheumatology that is tailored to address their peculiar muskulo-skeletal conditions. Manpower development in the field of Rheumatology is grossly neglected in high-level discussions of health care needs of the population.
In fact, prior to the year 2000, there was no specialist clinic in the whole of Ghana dedicated to the management of patients with rheumatic diseases. Dr. Joan Agama of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (may her soul rest in peace) was the first rheumatologist in Ghana to establish a specialist rheumatology clinic at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital that catered for patients from all over the country.
Dr. Ida Dzifa Dey is the second rheumatologist in Ghana who joined Dr Agama at the Rheumatology clinic at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Unfortunately, Dr. Agama passed away in 2014, leaving Dr. Dzifa Dey as the only rheumatologist at the Kole Bu Teaching Hospital Rheumatology Clinic.
A second Rheumatology clinic was established at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in 2012 by Dr Kwame Yeboah-Mensah, with the aim of serving patients with rheumaic diseases and conditions from the northern and central parts of Ghana.
In conclusion, as of July 2015, there are two rheumatology clinics in Ghana, run by one rheumatology specialist per clinic, that serve all patients who need specialist rheumatologic care. Needless to say, more rheumatologists need to be trained and also rheumatology nurse specialists also need to developed for better care of our patients.
We shall delve into the burden of rheumatic diseases in Ghana in subsequent blogs. Till then, live with love and conscience!
The fallacy is that Dr Agama (may she RIP) establised the first clinic. In actual fact it was Dr Dey who started the first Rheumatology clinic in late 2009 supported by the late Prof Affram at the KBTH. Dr Dey left for further studies to be and the clinic continued with Dr Agama till she returned.
ReplyDeleteDr Dzifa Dey has first hand knowledge of events at KBTH and is right in pointing out the erroneous statement that Dr Agama initiated the first Rheumatology Clinic in Ghana. Dr Dey was ahead of Dr Agama as explained. Many thanks to Dr Dey for the correction and her dedication to the practice of rheumatology in Ghana.
ReplyDeleteDr Yeboah-Mensah makes a very pertinent point about the lack of attention given to rheumatology as a medical subspecialty despite the fact that patients affected by musculoskeletal disorders contribute to the social and economic burdens of our society. Fortunately, gradual steps are being made to change the outlook. Dr Maame Amissah-Arthur, UK-trained rheumatologist, joined the KBTH rheumatology unit in June 2015 and together with Dr Dey run the specialist clinic there. As the specialty gains more visibility and traction, more specialists and nurses will be trained to deliver high quality care to our patients.
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