Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 03:23 pm
Receiving the award at the FOCOS NYC Gala ceremony, President Akufo-Addo noted that orthopaedic health conditions are severe among low and middle-income countries, which are less resourced to provide adequate access to orthopaedic care.
In Ghana, it is estimated that the injury results in an estimated 2,772 disability-adjusted life years per 100,000 people annually.
That is why, according to President Akufo-Addo, the work being undertaken by FOCOS in Ghana and the rest of Africa is very important, and must be given the requisite support.
With Ghana having defined Universal Health Coverage to mean that “all people in Ghana will have timely access to high-quality health services irrespective of ability to pay at the point of use”, the President noted that ensuring timely access to safe and quality orthopaedic care can prevent disability, and minimize healthcare costs associated with delayed treatment.
“That is why Government, to complement the work being done by the FOCOS Hospital in Accra, has established the Limb Fitting Centre (LFC), under the Ghana Health Service, to provide orthopaedic care for all Ghanaians,” he said.
He continued: “Our Regional and District Hospitals, under the Ghana Health Service, also support the LFC to provide holistic orthopaedic care for all. Teaching Hospitals are being equipped to provide highly specialized orthopaedic care for complicated trauma and injury cases.”
