Cardiologist Urges Government to Ban Sale of Caustic Soda Nationwide
Renowned cardiologist Professor Mark Mawutor Tetteh calls for government intervention to ban the sale of caustic soda nationwide, citing grave health risks, particularly to children. His urgent plea highlights the need for regulatory measures and public education to prevent accidents involving the ingestion of this harmful substance.
In a compelling call to action, Professor Mark Mawutor Tetteh, a distinguished consultant cardiologist and acting Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCTC), has urged the government and relevant agencies to impose a ban on the open-market sale of caustic soda across the country. Caustic soda, commonly used in soap manufacturing, poses a grave risk, particularly to children, who may inadvertently ingest the substance.
Professor Tetteh emphasized the severe consequences of ingesting caustic soda, highlighting the destruction it causes to nerves, muscles involved in swallowing, and the distortion of the throat's anatomy. He pointed out that such ingestion can lead to fatalities or lifelong impairment for survivors.
Speaking at the University of Ghana's Great Hall, Professor Tetteh underscored the necessity for policies and regulations governing the import, packaging, and sale of caustic soda. He stressed the importance of educating consumers, especially mothers with limited literacy, to prevent accidents involving the substance.
Drawing attention to the ban on caustic soda sales in developed countries due to their concern for vulnerable populations, Professor Tetteh presented distressing images of children affected by ingestion. He highlighted the corrosive and harmful nature of caustic soda, which, along with battery acid, can cause severe burns and tissue damage.
Notably, caustic soda is often sold without proper labeling, leading to accidental consumption, particularly among children. Professor Tetteh described the deceptive nature of caustic soda solutions, often stored in familiar containers like cups or bottles, which can be mistaken for harmless substances.
The repercussions of caustic soda ingestion are dire, with patients often experiencing severe throat complications or intractable pharyngoesophageal strictures. Surgical interventions to restore swallowing are arduous, with some cases proving impossible to address fully.
In Ghana, where caustic soda exposure is prevalent, the percentage of patients suffering from pharyngeal damage due to ingestion is significantly higher compared to developed nations. Professor Tetteh emphasized the daunting challenges surgeons face in restoring swallowing function for affected patients.
The urgent call to ban caustic soda sales underscores the critical need to protect public health and prevent avoidable tragedies caused by the ingestion of harmful substances.
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