Traditional Medicine in West Africa-Professor Kodjo Senah

The best lecture we have had our entire stay in Ghana I would say...Here are some interesting statistics:

- The average Ghanaian experiences Malaria at least 2x's a year.

- There are 500, 000 HIV/AIDs cases in Ghana.

- Between the years of 2006-2010, 6,000 Ghanaians have died in road accidents.

- Out of every 100,000 births, 750 women will die either during labor or after delivery.

- Number four reason for death in Ghana is road accidents.

- Twenty-four percent of Sickle-Cell disease cases come from polluted water.

Average number of persons per doctor in the following areas in Ghana:
1) Central Region: 15, 325
2) Northern Region: 43,357
3) Greater Accra: 2,860
4) Volta Region: 15,775
5) National Average:8,554
6) WHO Recommended: 5,000
7) # Currenty at Post: 2,211

Professor Senah was very knowledgeable in his lecture and with his information. Just by sitting for his presentation, I could tell he dedicates his life to the health and education of his people. He comes from a village where he had to fight to receive running water. He talked about many of diseases the people in Ghana face today, diseases that haven't occurred in the US in decades, diseases we no longer really know how to treat because they haven't been treated in such a long time. He spoke of traditional medicine and modern medicine and how the people in Ghana may use one or the other, or both for particular needs. He stated, "Only when all else has failed, do the disabled seek a traditional healer." So it is clear that many disabled people seek medical help for their issues before they consult with a traditional healer for herbal medicines and other supplements. He spoke of how important it is to have clean water and how polluted water causes so many diseases to spread so easily. ((I learned about the "life straw" today during a conversation with the public health students from Syracuse, in which a person sips through a straw and the straw itself filters the water, an innovative water purification system).It was very interesting to listen to him speak and he had great pictures in his slideshow presentation. I wish we were able to have a copy of his presentation since it was so well put together. He showed us pictures of the many people affected by certain diseases and what work he has done in villages to help his people.

Here are some pictures of the LifeStraw I mentioned earlier, I think this is FABULOUS idea: and can you believe it only costs about $2.00 USD when sold individually!