25 years ago a tragedy hit my family whereby my youngest sister passed away after a routine Cesarean Section in a hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, due to some preventable causes. The unfortunate part is that this story is not unique to my family but rather a common occurrence in Ghana and the rest of the West African sub region. Poor health, substandard nutritional status of the underserved communities, are
particularly rampant among women and children.
A group of dedicated physicians and non-physicians based in New York came together to form the West African Health Foundation (WAHF) on February 17, 2001. The Foundation identified the major causes of mortality and morbidity in these communities, most of which can be prevented or reduced significantly through intensive effective health and nutritional education. Some of these preventable health problems and conditions are:
- Infectious diseases such as Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Diarrheal Disease, and Sexually Transmitted Disease.
- Poor sanitation, environmental pollution.
- Poor nutrition.
- Potable water.
- Alcoholism and substance abuse.
- Immunization.
- Vision Loss.
WAHF’s mission and primary goals over the last 25 years have been a Comprehensive Wellness Education Program established in Juaben and the surrounding farming communities. Juaben was chosen because of
it’s central location in Ghana; therefore providing easy accessibility to excellent healthcare to rural communities.
WAHF has organized annual Medical Mission trips from 2003 to 2019. We sought permission from the Chief of Juaben, Nana Otuo Siriboe and the Juaben Traditional Council. WAHF collaborated with the local partners, youth leaders, volunteers, and the Juaben District Hospital. The focus of our strategy were the
following:
- Wellness and Public Health Education.
- Malaria control program which was initiated in 2005. Over 12,000 free Insectide Treated bed nets were distributed to the communities.
- Mass Deworming of children to prevent stunted growth.
- Blood pressure screening.
- Environmental sanitation control.
- We provide tools and equipment to desilt clogged gutters, and to provide proper disposal of garbage. WAHF paid to cart away accumulated garbage in Juaben and other communities in an effort to help prevent Diarrhoeal Diseases, Typhoid and also to destroy the breeding grounds of deadly mosquitoes.
WAHF’s vision is to establish a Tertiary Hospital of Excellence in Juaben in the Ashanti region of Ghana. This is to be phased out, with the first phase being the construction of the State of the Art Eye Institute. For this project the Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Siriboe, a visionary Chief and his Traditional Council donated 10
acres of land to WAHF.
The construction of the Eye Institute is about 80% completed. Your selfless and generous donations have helped brought us here and WAHF extends its deepest appreciation to you. There is more to be done to complete this Eye Institute to bring hope and the gift of sight to countless people. 100% of all donations goes towards the construction of the Eye Institute.
WAHF would not be here providing this excellent service without the amazing Board Members who have been relentless, dedicated, sacrificial, and with unapologetic passion to see the vision come to fruition.
Thank You,
Prudence Osei-Tutu MD
Chair Person
West African Health Foundation
