There is a lot to learn about chronic diseases and what we should do about them.

For instance, in my interaction with Dr. Vida Nadwos Obese , one of only 15 neurologists in Ghana and Deputy Health Minister Hon. Grace Ayensu-Danquah  today, I learned that many doctors often misdiagnose the symptoms of Parkinson’s, suggesting patients are literally drunkards and must be sober to avoid the tremors or shaking (😄)… Add stigmatisation, and you have a lot of people with the condition hiding, with some even contemplating suicide.

My doctor, Neurologist Dr. Augustina Charway-Felli, and I discussed that creating awareness of Parkinson’s is half the battle won. So I did.When I met with President John Dramani Mahama  one-on-one much earlier in the year, I informed him of my condition and discussed the need to sponsor the training of additional neurologists.

Fifteen neurologists for a population of almost 35 million is unconscionable. The Executive Secretary to the President, Dr.Callistus Mahama couldn’t believe  the paucity of such critical care analysts.

We also need to conduct nationwide research to know the number of people living with Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative conditions to better align advocacy with national care, because frankly, Parkinson’s is a very expensive disease.

I am positive that Deputy Health Minister Hon. Grace Ayensu-Danquah and her boss, Hon. Hon Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, will consider adding Parkinson’s to the Mahama Cares Programme and subsequently to the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Presently, some caregivers and doctors, such as Dr. Vida Obese (of Anidaso Foundation), and Pharmacist Esinam Neequaye of the Parkinson’s Support Group Ghana, have to support some patients with their own resources. Sometimes the drugs are not available in Ghana.

Once, a whole year passed without the availability of drugs in the right dosage. When they were available, usually for brief periods, the taxes and killer exchange rates drove the price through the roof.

I remember Senyo Hosi had to use back channels to get some for me at discounted prices.In the last three and a half years, I have been buying my drugs (in the right dosage and originally manufactured) when I travel or have them bought and hand-delivered to me by my friends who happen to be pilots and traveling businessmen and women.

There is quite a tight group of friends to be mentioned for making the international leg of care seamless—from finding suitable consultant neurologists in Europe.and the Middle East to facilitating ground transportation: Nii Laryea and Sammie Fred especially.Tony Oteng-Gyasi, Axis friends. Hon. Afenyo Markin, Ray Ankrah have been supportive of some point in the past. Anyway, now I have a question for all of you.

How many ‘Tro-Tro’, ‘matatu’, or ‘danfo’ drivers have you seen wearing eye glasses while driving compared to other commercial or even private drivers? Is it that all tro-tro drivers have better eyes than the general driving population?