Accra, March 05, GNA – The Suntreso Government Hospital in Kumasi, will soon embark on an outreach programme to extend Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) screening and treatment to basic schools in the Kumasi Metropolis.
Dr Thomas Agyarko-Poku, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, who stated this, said the aim was to ensure that children who have ENT problems, were identified early and given the necessary treatment.
It would also help to provide extensive education to the target group, on how to protect those parts of the body, to ensure that they grow without any defects.
Dr Agyarko-Poku was speaking at a durbar held at the Hospital to mark this year’s World Ear Day Celebrations, which fell on March 02. World Ear Day is observed annually on March 02.
Speaking on the annual global theme, « Check Your Hearing’, he called on the public to desist from buying fake drugs sold on public transport for their ear problems since « they do more harm than good to the ears ».
The public should also not insert or put things in their ears because that caused ear infections.
Dr Mrs. Aboagyewaa Prempeh, Audiologist at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), advised people not to go too close to places where there was lot of loud noise and said that could cause damage to the ears.
She mentioned some of the causes of ear problems in children as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) such as syphilis and herpes in pregnant mothers, measles and pre-mature births.
Dr Prempeh also advised the public not to wait till their ear drums were destroyed before they sought medical attention in hospitals.
Dr Maa Pabia Kyei, the ENT Specialist at the Suntreso government hospital, said the ear had been divided into three different parts, and that, not all ear problems required drugs.
People with ear challenges should, therefore, not insert things in their ears to aggravate the problem but report early to the hospital.
Conditions such as frequent nose bleeding and flu as well as irritation in the throat must also be taken to the hospital for treatment.
Madam. Augustina Appiah, Deputy Director of Nursing Services (DDNS) at the ENT Department of KATH, said the ear was one of the most essential senses of mankind and must be well taken care of.
She warned the public against buying ENT drugs over the counter, adding that, adults should refrain from slapping children on the chin in order not to destroy their ear drums.
A free ear screening was conducted for the public as part of the celebrations.
