National Child Health Coordinator of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Isabella Sagoe-Moses, has said there is the need for the health sector to be actively involved in seeking solutions to cerebral palsy issues.

She said the Community Health nurses who go out to provide community services must become the first professional contact with families raising children with cerebral palsy.

“The Community Health nurses go into homes, they could be the first health contact to point families to available services and support,” Dr Sagoe- Moses emphasised

She was among the guests that graced a ceremony that exhibited Appropriate Paper-based Technology (APT) equipment at the Multikids Inclusive Academy in Accra

APT involves the use of various textures of paper to make an equipment that supports children with cerebral palsy, and is used to make a variety of equipment that can be used to support daily activities such as eating and drinking, playing and exploring, communicating, going to school and learning all in good positions to help prevent deformities.

Cerebral Palsy Africa, an organisation that works to improve the lives of children with cerebral palsy in Africa in collaboration with Multikids Inclusive Academy and Wings of support organised a two weeks training programme  in the making of APT equipment for some mothers of children with cerebral palsy, therapists and some students studying Community based rehabilitation and disability studies.

Mr Nathaniel Larbi Andah, a student from the University of Education, Winneba who participated in the training said he used to see paper as waste and marvelled at how useful paper could be in the making of APT equipment

He expressed his commitment to work with families raising children with cerebral palsy and use what he had learnt in the training to help such families.