DISCOVERY OF THE BLOOD MYTH, GHANA

Decades and decades have gone by, yet the untold realities of health issues evolve and one is left in limbo as to whether life is worth living. In Ghana, persons with bleeding disorders are seen as punishments from the evil deeds of their ancestors or spiritual attacks. It is so heart breaking to see patients especially children live a life of agony to some extent community discrimination even when it is no fault of theirs. These patients leave their fate in the hands of their parents/guardians who in turn place their frustrations on numerous herbalist and spiritualists. This untreated condition leaves deformities in the legs of patients, and end up affecting their education, as they are unable to walk and are in an unbearable amount of pain. These patients deserve equality; they deserve to see the beauty of life, and would wish to do the impossible just to have a pain free life!

Hemophilia is an X- linked congenital bleeding disorder characterized by excessive bleeding and inability of blood to form clot. This disorder is more prevalent in Ghanaian males since it is an X- linked disorder. The Ghana Hemophilia Society in collaboration with all the Teaching Hospitals in Ghana and its International Partners: World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), are helping to treat the disorder in identified patients. Out of over 3,000 suspected cases in Ghana, only 350 have been identified and unfortunately 80% are from the most deprived communities in Ghana.

On this platform, we humbly request your donations toward our campaign to help raise funds and other logistics to support our vision of reaching every patient with care and treatment. Your generosity will go a long way to help stop or control the unbearable pain of a bleeding knee, elbow, head or any other joint and or save a life.

In the regions like Eastern, Ashanti, Western, Volta, Northern, the data gathered in some communities on our 2019 hemophilia campaign, an estimated 9% of some major communities have suspected symptoms of hemophilia. So far, three hundred (300) patients have been diagnosed in these regions with hemophilia and have been managed with the factor concentrate treatments made available at regional Hospitals. The remaining suspected 2000+ of hemophilia cases are left to the detriments of numerous herbalists who have no clue of treatments.

All donations will go towards supporting the following Hemophilia Campaign objectives. Donations of any amount to support the hemophilia campaign project will be very much appreciated.

• Education and Awareness of hemophilia- Education is one of the basic civilization needs of every individual. It contributes significantly to individual and nation’s growth, development and innovation. Out of over 175 diagnosed patients in the rural communities, only 4 are being sponsored by the society to pursue Education in the Basic, Secondary, Vocational and Tertiary Institutions. So far, the society has paid tuition for 4 patients out of the 170 deprived patients. The education and awareness of the general public on hemophilia is essential for the identification and management of the condition. Also, the education of all health workers as well as patients and parents is pending as majority (68%) of them, do not know much about the hemophilia Condition and how to manage it. Your donation will be of immense benefit to these patients / health workers and will open up a world of possibilities for them.

• Laboratory diagnostics Campaign- After blood sample collection during the awareness, the samples taken go to waste as hospitals/ health care facilities don’t have the necessary laboratory support for hemophilia diagnostics. With the aid of our partner (Novo Nodisk), a coagulation diagnosis machine was donated to Komfo Anokye teaching hospital but even with that, the necessary regents for diagnosis is not available due to cost issues, rendering the machine, a ‘white elephant’. Also, all the regional hospitals in Ghana need this coagulation machines, to be able to help diagnose once samples are brought in. Unfortunately, due to its high cost, only the Komfo Anokye Teaching hospital, has the coagulation machine, donated by Norvo Nodisk Foundation. The set budget is partitioned within the following sectors:

• Training in the communities among all 16 regions in Ghana.
• Capacity Building
• Education of Healthcare persons (Doctors, Nurses, etc.)
• Education of Patients and parents
• Awareness Creation campaigns on

• TV stations across Ghana
• Radio stations across Ghana
• Travelling Expenses to all 16 regions
• Newspapers advertisement, etc.

• Reagents- Reagents will be used as diagnostics for the coagulation machine, donated by Novo Nordisk. The minimum unit price for one active reagent kit is Ghc. 686.46. Gloves
• Facemasks

We look forward to hearing from you on a proposed presentation day and time. Counting on your generous support for this worthy cause.