A member of the Paediatric Society of Ghana, Dr. Bright Danyoh has emphasized the importance of FA (folic acid) intake prior to pregnancy.
According to Dr. Danyoh, a woman should begin taking folic acid at least three months before conception to significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects in their babies.
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are birth defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord that happen in fetuses within the first month of pregnancy.
He highlighted that folic acid plays a critical role in the development of the baby’s nervous system and helps prevent severe birth defects of the brain and spine.
“Folic acid should be a key component of pre-marital and fertility counselling. Counselors, especially in Christian premarital sessions, should ensure that women who intend to get married are encouraged to start taking folic acid early,” Dr. Danyoh stated on the GTV Breakfast Show.
He urged faith-based institutions and health professionals to collaborate in raising awareness about pre-conception health, particularly the benefits of micronutrient supplementation like folic acid.
