| Akwaaba! |
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| Written by Angie Metzger |
| Tuesday, 25 November 2008 23:08 |
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A report by Angie Metzger – team member and volunteer Akwaaba! what I warm welcome I received on my return to Ghana this summer. I arrived in Accra laden with remedies, homeopathic creams and books, kindly donated by members of the homeopathic community. Our clinics in Accra and in Mafi Seva are now well stocked with the basics. My schedule this time was busy and varied. I travelled to our outreach clinics in Accra with Mel Duprès, our long term volunteer. We saw many patients and also took time to evaluate our work in the various locations deciding that we should focus on those clinics that are best attended. As we see mostly acute presentations, patient education is becoming more and more part of our role and patients start to understand that follow up visits are necessary for long term benefit and health care. Part of my time, was spent away from bustling Accra in Mafi-Seva in the Volta region where Emperor, a local health and community worker, is using homeopathy with great success. The clinic is becoming a much used facility for the local communities. Often patients arrive in the middle of the night with acute problems: this time, a lady with severe abdominal pains, vomiting and diarrhoea walked into the clinic at 4 a.m. supported by two relatives. After a physical examination we took her case and prescribed Nux vomica as the remedy most closely matching her symptoms. Over the next few hours she was made comfortable and given a mattress to lie on. We watched her and prescribed as her symptoms changed. By the afternoon she was well enough to leave and walk home to her village - one happy lady! Whilst in Seva clinic, this patient was not only given remedies but was looked after and given fluids to replenish her. Patient care can sometimes mean closely assessing a patient for a whole day or night, cleaning a wound or providing a place to rest. Working at ‘grass roots’ level where there are few other options but homeopathy and seeing it work rapidly is a truly amazing experience. Teaching was also part of my role in Ghana and I held a lecture attended by local homeopaths and health practitioners in Accra as well as giving tutorials tailored to the needs of our local students. Questions arose from real life experiences of prescribing situations and we were able to discuss and teach the underpinning theory. This is work based learning indeed.
Towards the end of my stay, I travelled to Kumasi, in the Ashanti region of Ghana, to hold a clinic and meet with our contact Bonsu, an advanced student of homeopathy. Mel and I were warmly welcomed. Fruitful discussions followed and we now hold regular homeopathy clinics in Kumasi. I returned from Ghana encouraged and inspired to see that once a seed is sown in the right soil and nurtured it will grow, and full of enthusiasm at being part of this dynamic project. Thank you all.☼ |
Acknowledgments: Benefactors of Ghana Homeopathy Project, in alphabetical order: Abha Light Foundation, Alliance of Registered Homeopaths, Gala Homeopathy, Ghanaian International Airways, Helios Pharmacy, Homeopathic Supply Company, Samuel Goodenough Trust, S.E. London Homeopaths, S.W. London Homeopaths, and the many individuals who have given funding, books, remedies, supplies, their skills and their time, without whom this work would not be possible.
Special Mention: We extend our special thanks to the students and staff from the Contemporary College of Homeopathy, Kent Homeopathic Associates, Alternative Training and School of Homeopathy, and the Sheaf Trust for their ongoing support.
Over thirty million people in Europe already benefit from homeopathic treatment. Homeopathy could help you too.
What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a gentle, holistic system of healing, suitable for everyone, young and old. Homeopathy focuses on you as an individual, concentrating on treating your specific physical and emotional symptoms, to give long lasting benefits.
* Homeopathic treatment works with your body's own healing powers to bring health and well being.
* Patients are treated as individuals, not as a collection of disease labels.
* Homeopathy treats all your symptoms - mental, emotional and physical.
* Homeopathic remedies are gentle, subtle and powerful.
To get in touch with a qualified homeopath near you, call The Society of Homeopaths on 0845 450 6611 who will give you a list of professional, registered homeopaths nearest to your home, and answer any of your questions.
How long has Homeopathy been used?
Homeopathy has been used in the UK for over two hundred years, but has an honourable tradition dating back to ancient Greece. It was Samuel Hahnemann, a brilliant doctor working in 1796 who developed the scientific and philosophical foundations of this gentler way of healing. These scientific principles form the basis of successful homeopathic practice today.
What happens when you see a homeopath?
Your homeopath understands that establishing good health involves treating both mind and body, so time is taken to listen to your emotional and physical symptoms. To stimulate your body's own healing process, a remedy closest to your individual symptom picture is prescribed. Healing begins from within your body, strengthening your health and immune system, without any danger of damaging side effects.
Are homeopathic remedies safe?
Homeopathic remedies are a unique, potentised energy medicine, drawn from the plant, mineral and animal worlds. They work by gently boosting the natural energy of the body, and are very safe, even for pregnant and sensitive patients. There is no danger of addiction or toxicity.
What can homeopathy treat?
Homeopathy treats the person, there is some evidence to suggest it can help a person manage the symptoms of acute fevers, sore throats and toothache, to chronic illnesses such as arthritis, eczema, asthma, anxiety and insomnia.
Where can I find a qualified homeopath?
The Society of Homeopaths produces a frequently updated register of professionally trained homeopaths, who work to the Society's Code of Ethics & Practice. You can find one in your area by consulting the register available on this website or telephone 0845 450 6611 and we will mail a copy to you.
(Nothing contained on this page should be taken as individual medical advice or as a substitute for consulting your homeopath or healthcare practitioner. The above information is taken from the website of the Society of Homeopaths, UK)
Other places to turn for info on homeopathy include:
ARH
- Millbrook - Millbrook HillNutley - East Sussex
TN22 3PJ - UK
Tel/Fax: 01825 714506
info@a-r-h.org
HMA - Homeopathic Medical Association
7 Darnley Road, Gravesend
Kent DA11 0RU - U.K.
Email: info@the-hma.org
Tel: 01474 560336
ANM - The Association of Natural Medicine
a-nm@hotmail.co.uk
This last association - ANM, registers people from other disciplines, however, it has many homeopaths such as Tricia Allen, Tessa Jordan, Theresa Partington etc
