RELIEF FOR WOMEN WITH BREAST PROBLEMS (MIRROR, PAGE 34, MAY 15, 2010)

From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.

Ladies with severe breast abnormalities, causing them to be stigmatised by society have been offered an opportunity to receive free surgical operation to correct their deformities.
The Department of Plastic Surgery of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in conjunction with a United States-based non-governmental organisation which is organising the free plastic surgery, is determined to undertake a number of surgical operations to give a lifeline to those with breast abnormalities to enable them enjoy life to the full.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the KATH, Mr Kwame Frimpong, explained that “ persons with severe abnormalities of the breast such as excessive breast tissue in young females, absence of the breast and extra-large breast tissues are encouraged to report to the Breast Clinic of KATH for screening and possible selection for breast reduction and reconstructive surgery”.
Dubbed Restoring Emotional Stability Through Outstanding Reconstructive Efforts (RESTORE) the surgery also seeks to offer free facial or body plastic surgery for victims suffering from such deformities.
RESTORE has over the years been collaborating with health facilities across the globe to provide free, reconstructive surgery and related medical services to children suffering from facial and body deformities, as well as individuals who are saddled with accidental and congenital deformities.
It was founded by a US-based Ghanaian, Dr Michael K. Obeng, who is the Chief of Plastic Surgery at St Elizabeth Boardman Health Centre. He is also an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburg in the USA.
The statement explained that last year, the KATH plastic surgeons , together with Dr Obeng’s team, performed the first breast reconstruction on a patient who had undergone a mastectomy (removal of breast due to cancer)
It explained that the team constructed a new breast for the patient by using her abdominal tissue.
“ The two teams are once again ready to give relief to women requiring special breast reconstruction and reduction surgeries, and all those interested are encouraged to report to the KATH Breast Clinic from Monday, 10 to Friday, May 14, 2010 for screening”, the statement indicated.