In August 2023, the Go North Medical Outreach Initiative was launched, aiming to bring much-needed support to the special needs community in the Upper East Region of Ghana. This Neurodevelopmental outreach program was the brainchild of Katherine Kaunza-Dem Millar and her husband, Professor Mamudu Abunga Akudugu. Experiencing firsthand the frustration of a lack of special needs professionals in their region, the couple decided to take action in commemoration of Katherine’s birthday.
The Upper East Region is particularly underserved, with the entire northern region having only one speech therapist based in Tamale, bearing the immense burden of caring for all these special individuals. The situation in the Upper East is even more dire, with no resources dedicated to the special needs community.
Determined to make a difference, Katherine and her husband collaborated with Dr. Marilyn Marbell-Wilson, a Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician and CEO/Medical Director of Mission Pediatrics, and Mrs. Mary Kuffour, the founder of Klicks Africa Foundation. In 2023, they managed to assemble a multidisciplinary team of eight professionals, including speech therapist, behavior therapist, special needs educator and physical therapist. The outreach saw about 250 participants who attended training sessions and consultations. The team also visited special schools in the region to assess their conditions.
The 2023 outreach, fully funded by Katherine and her husband, laid the foundation for future initiatives. Building on this success, the Meeidik Smilehub Foundation, headed by Professor Mamudu Abunga Akudugu and Katherine Kaunza-Dem Millar, organized another outreach in collaboration with Mission Pediatrics, Klicks Africa Foundation, and supported by Rise-Ghana. This outreach, held from July 31 to August 2, 2024, saw the team of professionals double to 16, including physical therapists, behavior therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, dieticians, special needs educator and a Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician.
The 2024 outreach saw participation rise to 300, with people traveling from Kumasi, Tamale, and Bolgatanga. The sessions included major presentations, training sessions, and consultations. Participants included children on the autism spectrum, those with cerebral palsy, and the deaf. Mrs. Mary Kuffour provided valuable training to parents, equipping them with the knowledge to care for their special needs children.
Ida Allotey-Brown, a special needs facilitator with Mission Pediatrics, highlighted the necessity for continued support in the region. She expressed hope that benevolent organizations would help connect internet to the special school so Mission Pediatrics can provide training on a monthly basis for the people to cater to the special needs community. Also, they are hoping to get some donations to defray some of their expenses.
“There is a need for more outreach of this nature,” she said, underscoring the ongoing need for resources and support.
Story by: Jacinta Happy Sulemana
