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President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has appealed for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions to be included in the Mahama Cares Programme, stressing the need to improve access to specialised healthcare and reduce stigma faced by patients in Ghana.
In a social media post, Mr Cudjoe disclosed that he discussed his Parkinson’s diagnosis during a one-on-one meeting with President John Dramani Mahama earlier this year. He used the opportunity to draw attention to the severe shortage of neurologists in the country.
According to him, Ghana currently has about fifteen neurologists serving a population of nearly 35 million, a situation he described as unacceptable and a major barrier to proper diagnosis and treatment.
Mr Cudjoe explained that the lack of specialist care has led to frequent misdiagnosis of Parkinson’s symptoms by medical practitioners, with tremors often wrongly attributed to intoxication. He said this misconception fuels stigma, forces many patients into isolation, and in some cases pushes individuals to contemplate suicide.
He expressed confidence that the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, together with Deputy Minister Grace Ayensu-Danquah, will take steps to ensure Parkinson’s care is incorporated into the Mahama Cares Programme and the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Mr Cudjoe noted that increased public awareness and policy inclusion would significantly improve the lives of Parkinson’s patients by giving them access to treatment and support without relying on personal connections or foreign supply chains.
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IMANI Africa President Franklin Cudjoe urges the inclusion of Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions in the Mahama Cares Programme to improve access to care in Ghana.
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Mahama Cares Parkinson’s disease
