Twenty-four-year-old Rebecca would have been constantly stigmatized for her deformity if Vodafone Healthline had not offered financial support for surgery.
Rebecca, who lives in the Oti Region, had been mocked by her peers frequently for the deformity on her thumb, which became even more prominent at primary two,
“The deformity on this thumb was very visible as at primary two, and my peers would always mock me. When I got to primary six, I got into a fight with someone who capitalized on the deformity to abuse me verbally,” she recalled.
The situation got worse when she was laid off after relocating to Accra and jilted by her boyfriend for the deformity.
The pain of rejection compelled Victoria to resolve to work harder to have a surgery.
Rebecca subsequently visited the 37 Military Hospital for treatment where she informed a Medical Practitioner, Dr. Nsaful, about her plight and inability to afford a surgery.
Dr. Nsaful assisted Rebecca by introducing her to Vodafone Healthline.
“I went to the 37 military to meet Dr. Nsaful, and I told him about my situation. He offered to help me even though I had no funds to even start the procedure,” Rebecca recalled.
Rebecca’s mother was also thrilled about Vodafone’s assistance.
“Honestly, I was extremely happy and shed tears of joy because I had no helper. I never dreamed of being a beneficiary of such kindness.”
Another section of the show discussed negative lifestyles that affect the kidney.
Dr. John Awuah listed several diseases, including hypertension and diabetes, that could contribute to kidney failure.
He said these diseases can be controlled by regulating lifestyles and diet.
“Diabetes is a consequence of high blood sugar. You have to be able to manage your diet in such a way that you don’t become diabetic. Foods that have low sugars and low fiber content can reduce the chances of having diabetes.
“Hypertension produces more pressure than the body can handle so it could cause the kidney to fail. The pressure damages the cells in the kidney to until it cannot function. Although hypertension can be hereditary, there are certain lifestyles that could contribute to it.”
In this episode of myth buster, medical practitioners threw more light on the negative effects of giving herbal enema to children.
Medical Practitioner, Kweku Yalley, said herbal enemas could expose the child to adverse complications.
“The skeleton must develop. If the skeleton is not developed and you start giving the child enema, it predisposes the child to skeletal dysfunction.”