* Photos coming soon! *
Today was an "official" day. We met with Edwin Ampadu, the Program Manager for the Buruli ulcer (BU) with the Ghanaian Ministry of Health. We had a very productive day with Dr. Ampadu. He described the remarkable progress his country had made in identifying the incidences of BU in Ghana.
About 1,000 cases of BU are identified in the country each year. Identification and treatment have been assisted by mobilizing a group of community volunteers who provide information to fellow villagers and who assist in screening villages for this disease and others.
Children between the ages of 5 and 15 make up the majority of BU cases. Although the cause of the ulcer is unknown, it is suspected the disease is associated with bodies of water. Behavior such as playing in ponds and rivers may explain why children are more susceptible to getting the disease.
Following our time with Dr. Ampadu, we toured the nearby plastic surgery hospital where BU patients are treated. The group distributed candy, pencils and toys to the children at the hospital. While no BU patients were at the facility while we were there, the group visited with children who were being treated primarily for various types of burns and cleft lip/palate.
We spent the evening with the wonderful family of Charles Yeboah. The food they prepared was incredibly beautiful and delicious. It's another late evening and it will be another early morning. It was a productive and beautiful day with our new friends.
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It is so wonderful to be following your journey online! You have many cheerleaders in the US - I must again, thank Darlene, for her vision in getting this entire enterprise off the ground!!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to the photos. You are doing such good work!
ReplyDeleteGood day!
ReplyDeleteI'm an Italian boy who by chance was passing on his blog being struck from that described.
A praise for the volunteers, who in Italy is unfortunately much talk but nothing is done, for those who really suffer.
I do not understand what is BU but only imagine the joy of reading his description of the visit and the meal offered.
I apologize for a proper little English, but I'm studying to improve, forgot my name is Carlo.
A virtual greeting
Carlo, how nice that you ran across this blog about the buruli ulcer or BU. Are you saying that you have suffered from this disease in Italy? Or that the buruli ulcer exists in Italy? Your English and spelling is very good, by the way.
ReplyDeleteBuona giornata - a presto!