Endo Charity Ghana, a charity group raising awareness on Endometriosis, a menstrual disorder, on the 16th of March 2019, held a Launch and Gala night at the National Theatre, Exhibition Hall to kick start their awareness campaign on the disorder.

The purpose of the Gala night was to launch the campaign to create awareness on Endometriosis.

Ms. Katherine Berkoh (Katie Berks), founder of Endo Charity, is a survivor of Endometriosis and has therefore taken it upon herself, with the help of others to create awareness on the disease.

According to Ms Katie Berks, 1 in 10 women who suffer from a menstrual disorder called Endometriosis. There is no known cause and cure for this condition.

Endometriosis occurs when the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. These tissues behave like they are in the uterus each month; eg if the tissue affects your brain for example, you will bleed in your brain as well as have your normal menses at the same time. These tissues can also affect the reproductive organs and other organs like the kidney, lungs, chest, belly button, tear duct, nerves etc.

She also revealed why she started the campaign:

“Being a sufferer, misdiagnosed for 11 years I felt the need to create the awareness. I was diagnosed stage IV 19 years now and have had 7 surgeries. My main aim is to erase that stigma that menses is meant to hurt and that if one gives birth, the pain will go away”.

The fact about this condition is that, it can lead to infertility. I believe every woman has their pain threshold so we should pay attention when a girl or woman is constantly complaining about excruciating pain and investigate further.

Ms. Berks is currently embarking on the campaign with Dr. Francis Dickson, CEO of  Nova Surgery Centre. He is a physician certified with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology And Registered as a Permanent Medical/Dental Practitioner with the Medical & Dental Council, Ghana.  

He has over thirty years’ experience as a practicing Board Certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist in Maryland State, United States and was Chairman of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Southern Maryland Hospital as well as Dr. Edem K. Hiadzi, CEO of Lister Hospital & Fertility Centre and is a Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist.

He qualified as a Medical Officer from the University of Ghana Medical School in 1982 and did his post graduate training at the Queen Mothers’ Hospital and the University of Glasgow in Scotland, United Kingdom, obtaining Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG) in 1992.

Both Doctors were at the event and elaborated more on Endometriosis. Mr. Ibrahim Seidu represented Hon Felicia Agyei (MP for Kintampo South Constituency, BA) who was out of town at the time. Hon. Felicia Agyei also promised to help raise the awareness by partnering with Ministry of Health, Education and Gender.

Endo Charity ….Endometriosis awareness, advocacy and support for girls, women & their families.

LET’S KICK ENDO!