Reha Medical Supply assists patient (Health Page)

REHA Medical Supply Ghana Limited, a privately owned enterprise has responded to an appeal by a-27-year old woman, Ms Vida Ahodetor to successfully undergo an implantation of artificial hip joints at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).
Ms Ahodetor, who is a sickle-cell patient, had been suffering from a bone disease known in medical field as Arthrosis over the years and was operated upon in September, 2009, at the cost of US$ 10,000.
In an interview in Accra, she said she suffered from severe pains in both hips and therefore had to go to the KBTH for treatment.
Ms Ahodetor said when surgery was recommended she realised that she could not afford but with the assistance from Reha, she was operated upon first on February 3, 2009 and again on September 23, 2009.
She recalled that the problem started when she began having severe pain in her hip some years back, but never took it seriously because she thought it was a normal crises which she usually go through being a sickler.
She continued that the pain was on and off and any time she reported to a health facility she was given medication but realised that there was no improvement in her condition.
Ms Ahodetor said she was later diagnosed with the condition and advised to go for surgery immediately.
Unfortunately, the patient who had just completed training as a beautician at the FC Beauty Clinic said she could not afford the cost of the treatment neither could her father, a teacher.
Through an appeal for funds in the media, Reha Medical Supply Ghana Limited responded to help her go through total hip replacement in both hips.
She added that the response led to prompt provision of the specified-implant artificial hips to the tune of US$ 10,000.
Ms Ahodetor together with her father have expressed gratitude to Reha for saving her life and also offering great relief to her.
Her father, Mr Gabriel Ahodetor who was overwhelmed with the success of the surgery, and the kindness of Reha , said her daughter who was the third born was diagnosed with sickle cells at age two.
He explained that the family did not know how serious it was until last four years when she was diagnosed of having serious problem with the hips and she was told she needed an artificial replacement of the hip.
He disclosed that through the publications in the media, the Executive Chairman of Reha, Mr Harry Sintim Aboagye decided to help her daughter.
"We are very grateful and we want to use this medium to show our appreciation to him, the management of the company and the company’s principals in Switzerland for the wonderful assistance given us”, Mr Ahodetor pointed out.
Medical experts explain Arthrosis as the most frequent illness that affects people beginning at the age of 40.
Both males and females are affected and causes various types of pain making it difficult to create movement in the articulation.
Its beginning is gradual and subtle. The first symptom observed is pain that tends to worsen with the progress of time.
All the symptoms result in an increase of instability of the articulation, contracture, muscular spasm and permanent local pain. For example, if the affected articulations are the legs, then it will result in lameness.