Surgeon Flags Rising Hernia Cases—Calls for Early Checks, NHIS Support to Aid Poor Patients
Dr. Godfred Owusu, a general surgeon at Ankaase Methodist Faith Hospital, is worried about the rising number of inguinal hernia cases in Ghana. He says that delaying treatment often leads to emergencies. During a free screening and surgical exercise organized by the Methodist Health Trust at its facilities in Ankaase, Aburaso, and Apagya, he spoke and urged people to get regular check-ups to catch problems early. He also explained that the initiative, which has been going on for about three years, aims to reduce the number of hernia surgeries that are waiting to be done and make treatment available to patients who can’t afford it. More than 800 patients have benefited, and more than 200 surgeries have been done at Ankaase alone, with about 30% of those being on women. Nurse Manager Gloria Agyeiwaa Osei Boateng said that unproven herbal remedies could make the condition worse and asked for NHIS support to help pay for hernia treatment. Patients were thankful and hopeful that these kinds of treatments would continue.
