Treat children with sore throat to avoid hole-in-heart - Dr Tanko

Korle-Bu

Accra, March 23, GNA - Children with sore throats should be medically treated to avoid a condition of hole-in-heart, Dr. Abdul-Samed Tanko, Head of the Cardiology Unit of the National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCC) at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has advised parents.

He said children could develop hole-in-heart due to certain diseases caused by infections that create sore throats, warning 'all sore throats in children should be medically treated at the hospital.'

Dr Tanko, who was speaking at a forum organized by the Help Ministry of the Church of Christ in Accra on Saturday, mentioned some of the symptoms of hole-in-heart on children as difficulty in swallowing food, tiredness, swollen legs and coughing.

Speaking on the topic: 'Hole-In-Heart and Related Diseases' he said no herbal treatment could seal the hole-in-heart of a child or person. This can only be corrected through surgery, he added.    

Dr. Tanko said when hole-in-heart developed in the upper chamber (ventricles) of the heart, it could be stitched.

He said when kids were in their tender age, they allowed them to grow well before an operation was carried on them, adding that even adults could develop hole-in-heart through heart attacks.

Dr. Tanko appealed to the public to check their heart pressures regularly and noted that diabetes could cause heart attacks. He said exercising regularly or walking briskly for 30 minutes three times a week was good practice. He said people should avoid heavy meals at late hours.

Evangelist George Kingsley Abugah, who heads the Help Ministry of the Church of Christ said, the ministry had been in existence for the past 20 years with the aim of soliciting funds to treat persons who needed treatment of the heart.

He said the Ministry presently needed about GH¢40,000 to assist heart patients and thanked all who regularly contribute to assist needy patients.

Dr. Kwadwo Appiadjei Tua, a law lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Ghana, Legon asked participants, most of whom were from other churches, to help spread the message of good health.    

GNA