The Foundation of Orthopaedics and Complex Spine (FOCOS), will hold its second annual fundraising event on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, to support needy patients requiring complex spine surgery.

Some GHS5 million is expected to be raised to fund life-changing spinal surgery for 100 Ghanaian children suffering from curvature of the spine.

Addressing the media, Founder, CEO and President of FOCOS, Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei, gave the rationale for the Foundation’s initiative.

“Children with this condition do not develop at the same rate as their peers, are unable to sit, stand, or crawl and what complicates their condition is that majority of them are isolated or stigmatized which makes it impossible for them to go to school or perform household chores,” said Prof Oheneba Boachie-Adjei.

Prof. Boachie-Adjei encouraged Ghanaian organizations and individuals to support their own, citing the example of Sierra Leon and Ethiopia.

“Ethiopian and Sierra Leonean patients have local foundations supporting children with various degrees of curvature of the spine; I believe it is time for Ghanaian organizations to take it upon themselves to support their own,” he added.

According to the FOCOS Founder and CEO, children living with spinal conditions may lose their lives if they do not get the right attention at the right time.

FOCOS held its maiden Fundraising event in Ghana, last year at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel and through the help of some charitable individuals and organizations, it was able to achieve its target.

After last year’s event, four patients have successfully undergone life-changing surgeries.

The public can contribute to FOCOS Endowment Fund through uniBank account: 0211311006781, World Trade Centre Branch-Accra.

Alternatively one can contribute towards the fundraising by buying tickets to attend the event at GHS600 for one or GHS1000 for two. Members of the general public can support the worthy cause by purchasing tickets at the FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital in Pantang-Adenta or by calling 020-0000856/ 0501436884 for tickets.