The Gastroenterology Society, in collaboration with AstraZeneca, has launched the Ghana Association for the Study of Liver and Digestive Diseases (GASLIDD), to help improve and understand digestive health related problems in the country.

Dr. Kofi N. Nkrumah, Interim President of the Society, said gastrointestinal problems could affect any part of the digestive system.

He said constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, gastroenteritis, colitis and irritable bowel disorders were some of the major causes of gastrointestinal problems, hence the need to educate people.

He said it had become difficult for doctors to at times treat patients with liver and digestive diseases since the country did not have any reliable data; as a result, there was a lack of research that would inform doctors to offer the proper diagnosis.

Dr. Nkrumah called for the introduction of local studies to improve the understanding of such diseases and to advance the study of the various aspects of liver and gastrointestinal diseases in Ghana and West Africa.

Dr. Rudolf Darko, a Gastroenterologist, called for more immunization against the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and that laparoscopic surgery should be performed to improve on liver transplantation.

Dr. Timothy Achampong of the Department of Medicine- University of Ghana Medical School, reiterated the need to have more infrastructure, investigative processes, cultural settings, compliance and more funds for patients treatment.

Dr. Gerhard Ofori-Amankwa, Senior Family Physician, Korle-Bu Polyclinic said gastrointestinal conditions are common and, therefore, there was the need for detailed examination of patients to detect the real cause and related causes of digestive diseases.

He urged the Ghana Association for the Study of Liver and Digestive Diseases to partner with other international organisations that share related interests to harness strength in other to achieve common goals.