The West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), has organised a medical screening and counselling event at the Yumba Special School with special needs.

WACCBIP visited the school last month in Tamale in the Northern Region of Ghana.

The event, organised in collaboration with the Tamale Teaching Hospital and the Vitting Clinic in Tamale, attracted more than 200 children with special needs or disability from the Yumba Special School, Savelugu School for the Deaf, and the Dapkema Special School in Tamale.

Parents of the children and other members of the community were also present.

Teams of registered nurses and medical officers provided general consultation and out-patient services, specifically conducting checks for blood sugar and haemoglobin levels. The medical team also administered tests for Hepatitis B for the children.

Researchers from WACCBIP spoke to parents and members of the community about some of the conditions that affect the children, in efforts to help reduce the stigma surrounding these conditions.

More than 50 parents interacted with the team of experts on issues relating to the provision of the kind of special care the children often need.

Parents were also advised on schooling, personal needs, diets, first aid, and a host of other important health issues.

Teams of registered nurses and medical officers take students through the laboratory sessions

The Yumba Special School, located in Wamale, in the Tamale Metropolis, was set up in 2004 to provide a point of care for children with learning difficulties, mental health challenges, and health conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down’s Syndrome, autism, and hearing impairment.

According to Ephraim Tutu, Headmaster of the school, children with special needs tend to face a host of discriminatory social practices because of negative cultural attitudes that limit their integration into society.

He said the school sought to provide vocational training for these children to equip them with skills that will help integrate them into their communities.

“Here at the Yumba School, we train these children, who are intellectually disabled, to be semi-dependent,” Mr. Tutu said.

“Back at home, these children face the challenge of acceptability. Some parents feel guilty for having a disabled child. Some say it’s a curse. People ignore them and deny them the attention they need, even though they also exist as members of the community,” he added.

Mr. Tutu explained being in school is an opportunity for the children with intellectual narrative to learn something which can put them in mainstream society.

Some parents present at the outreach event

Dr. Samuel Kojo Kwofie, member of the faculty at WACCBIP who led the team, said WACCBIP was always committed to easing the burden of disease on the most vulnerable in society.

He explained that initiatives such as the medical outreach events organised by the Centre in deprived communities tied into its mission to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and control of tropical diseases.

Dr. Samuel Kojo Kwofie interacts with parents and students

“At WACCBIP, we don’t only conduct cutting-edge research; we also seek to impact and prolong lives with our research. Events like this give us a platform to engage with communities,” Dr. Kwofie said.

“It was necessary for us to bring our researchers here to the doorstep of these children, get them checked, and provide them with the necessary medications to remain healthy. We will continue to pay our dues to the less privileged in Ghana,” he added.

The team also made donations to the school with support from Kinapharma Ghana Limited and Inqaba Biotec West Africa.

Kinapharma made a donation of boxes of various medicines and Inqaba provided notepads and pens to be distributed to the children.

Kyerewaa Akuamoah Boateng donate notepads and pens from Inqaba Biotec to the Yumba Special School

Drugs donated by Kinapharma Ghana Limited

Chief Supt Dinam Dzinam Dzikunu, Tamale Divisional Police Commander joined the outreach event.