Professor Yao Tettey delivering the welcome address
Welcoming participants to the lecture, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Yao Tettey stated that the College saw the public lecture as part of its corporate social responsibility and a way of sharing results that emanates from research and clinical practice with the general public.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman for the occasion, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana stated that universities organize public lectures to create awareness about research done in the University. While commending the College of Health Sciences for instituting the biennial public lecture series, he underscored the need for academia to engage the public on various issues. He further expressed the hope that as a result of the public lecture there would be greater interest in Stroke in Children and consequently drive policy formulation on the issue.
Vice Chancellor, Professor Ernest Aryeetey delivering his opening remarks
Five speakers spoke on various aspects of the theme. Dr. Catherine Segbafia of the Department of Child Health, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Ghana was the first to present on the topic, “Big Strokes in Little Folks”. In her presentation, she explained the causes of stroke in children and stated that stroke can occur at any age; during pregnancy, at birth to 28 days, 29 days to 18yrs.
She advocated the provision of the right equipment and facilities for early recognition of stroke in children as a key educational target for both the public and healthcare professionals, increased data collection and research funding in the area and Improved local capacity for both acute care and rehabilitation.
In her lecture on “Caring for the Informal Carer of Children with Stroke: Nursing Implications”, Dr. Lydia Aziato from the Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing, University of Ghana enumerated challenges and the burden faced by the caregiver. She concluded her lecture by stating that the informal caregiver of the child with stroke also needs care and entreated nurses and other health team members to acknowledge the needs of the informal caregiver and take active measures to address these needs.
The third Lecture by Ms. Anna Hughton, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana on “Rehabilitation Potentials in Children with Stroke: The Physiotherapists’ Mandate” also brought to light the physiotherapists role in rehabilitating children with stroke and specified that early intervention will prevent long term residual disabilities.
“Stroke in Children: The Role of Occupational Therapy” was the fourth lecture delivered by Mr. Peter O. Ndaa, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana. He informed the public that the role of the occupational therapist was to prevent the development of secondary impairments through occupation, maximize recovery of motor and cognitive function through occupation and promote safe and independent occupational performance.
Mr. Clement Amponsah from the Department of Speech Therapy, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana delivered the last lecture for the evening on the topic “Paediatric Stroke and its related communication and swallowing disorders: Insights from a speech and Language Therapist”. In his lecture he stated that the speech and language therapist assist stroke survivors to communicate.
A section of the audience
In his closing remarks, Professor Ernest Aryeetey stated that the lectures showed the large number of risk factors and it was of great concern that many of the common diseases can lead to stroke. According to him, the lectures showed that early intervention of stroke was key and other healthcare professionals were available to help stroke patients. He stressed the need to train more allied health professionals. Moving forward, he said, “we have to work together as a team in managing health conditions such as stroke and make the appropriate recommendations to policy makers.”
Over 250 participants made up of academics, students, health professionals and the general public participated in the lecture and had the opportunity to make contributions as well as ask questions. Present at the function were members of the College Advisory board, former Provosts, Deans faculty members, students and members of the general public.
Participants contributing to the discussion
