Accra, March 25, GNA - The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) is to begin a study into auto-immune diseases in Ghana, officials of the institute said at the weekend. Speaking to members of Sharecare Ghana, a support group and association of people with auto-immune diseases and their families in Ghana, they said the research was a result of discussions between members of the association and NMIMR on the seeming rise of auto-immune conditions in the country.

A statement from NMIMR said the study was being spearheaded by Dr Margaret Armar-Klemesu, a Nutrition expert and Head of the Department of Nutrition at Institute and Dr Michael Ofori, an Immunologist. The statement said officials of the Institute agreed that a study needed to be done to establish the numbers as the basis for fuller research into the prevention and possible control of auto-immune diseases.

At the meeting, the Noguchi officials outlined the various diseases classified as auto-immune and the fact that they affected more women than men, but were more dangerous when they did affect men. Members of the association welcomed the idea of research and said this initiative was long overdue. They said auto-immune diseases should be covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme since patients paid the NHIS tax directly or indirectly.

Founded in 1979, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research is considered to be the leading biomedical research institute in Ghana.

Sharecare Ghana is the initiative of Nana Yaa Agyeman, herself diagnosed with Devic's, Disease, a close relation of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and has since attracted many members with similar or related conditions.

Auto-immune diseases and diseases of the central nervous system often do not show a clear pattern of symptoms and are therefore difficult to diagnose. The symptoms may include some or all of the following: numbness, vomiting, loss of body co-ordination and muscular spasms, vision impairment or loss, fatigue, tingling sensation, weight changes, depression, constipation and diarrhoea. Auto-immune diseases include Rheumatoid Arthritis, Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Transverse Myelitis, Neuromyelitis Optica (Devic's Disease), Optic Neuritis and Lupus.