Dr. Jacqueline Gyapomaa Asibey, a  paediatrician at the Holy Family Hospital at Techiman in the Bono East Region, has debunked the belief that children born with deformities are spirit children.

“They’re not “spirit children” as many believe, but rather, their conditions are often linked to health issues such as malnutrition, lack of proper prenatal care, and genetic factors,” she explained.

Her explanation comes against the practice where some members of the society shun such babies

due to misconceptions about their condition.

Dr Asibey said the conditions of such babies are often linked to health issues such as malnutrition, lack of proper prenatal care and genetic factors.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Techiman, Dr. Asibey stressed that mothers of children with deformities often did not receive adequate antenatal care, nutrition and support during pregnancy.

She urged expectant mothers to eat a balanced diet, attend antenatal care, and receive proper medical attention to prevent such unfortunate issues.

Dr. Asibey explained that many cases of child deformity were preventable and early intervention could make a significant difference.

“Pregnant women should take folic acid and attend antenatal care to receive early treatment,” she advised.

She also called on husbands to be supportive to their wives during pregnancy to access antenatal care services.

The paediatrician said birth abnormalities were a major cause of newborn deaths, along with infections, breathing difficulties, and other health issues.

She urged the government to adopt proactive measures that could improve antenatal services to encourage every pregnant woman access the services.

In a related interview, Dr. Salim Ahmad-Yusuf, Medical Officer at Ahammedia Hospital, echoed these sentiments in an interview citing examples of treatable conditions like spinal bifida and club foot.

He condemned the practice of attributing child deformities to spiritual causes and urged parents to seek medical help instead.

“People are sometimes ignorant and sentence the child to death, claiming such children are from the underworld and have links with the spiritual world, but that’ could never be true,” he said.

Dr Ahmad-Yusuf said child deformities were not spiritual curses; rather, with proper care and support, many children with deformities can lead healthy lives.