Kumasi, May 27, GNA-Dr Patrick Karikari, Medical Director at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, has expressed concern about the increasing cases of diseases of the spinal cord at the Neuro surgery Unit of the hospital and said the situation has put a lot of pressure on the health personnel in the discharge of their duties. He has therefore, appealed to the management of the hospital to expand the facilities of the various departments within the unit to cope with the increasing spinal cord and related ailments reported at the hospital.

Dr Karikari made the appeal at a day's symposium on power of Myelograms in the diagnosis of spinal conditions organised by the KATH for 50 health personnel in Kumasi on Friday.

The symposium, which attracted participants including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and medical students, aimed at enhancing their capacity to diagnose and manage spinal cord related ailments. It also formed part of activities to mark the second anniversary celebration of the unit and the 50th anniversary of KATH. He said most of the cases at the unit were the result of road accidents and called on the National Road Safety Committee and the law enforcement agencies to educate drivers to help minimise the spate of accidents to save lives.

Dr Dankyi A Berko, Consultant Neuro Surgeon in-charge of the Nuero Surgery Unit of the hospital, explained that myelogram is a medical investigation and procedure that enables health personnel to accurately detect and treat malformations in the spinal cord caused by accidents and tumours, among others.

He stated that injuries and diseases affecting spinal cord could be fatal and debilitating if not accurately detected and rectified, adding that myelogram has been found to be one of the most effective procedures in addressing the problem.

Dr Berko advised the participants to take advantage of the symposium to enable them gain new access to information towards managing spinal cord conditions.