Grace Quarm, a registered nurse at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, has warned against using palm oil as a first aid to remove toxic substances from the body. Instead, she urges people to seek immediate medical help in such situations.
While some Ghanaians believe palm oil can neutralize the harm of such poisons, the nurse warned that palm oil can actually worsen the condition.
In an interview with Adom TV on July 27, 2024, she explained that children who ingest palm oil and vomit can inhale it into their lungs, causing breathing difficulties.
“We advise the public not to feed palm oil to children who may accidentally ingest the harmful substance. There have been several cases at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where babies ingested palm oil and vomited before having difficulty breathing. It is always best to seek immediate medical attention,” she explained.
Grace Quarm addressed the practice of force-feeding infants and young children, which is also common in many African countries, including Ghana, and highlighted proper feeding techniques to prevent the risk of choking.
“We strongly advise mothers, especially grandmothers, not to force-feed their babies and young children. “This forced feeding habit should be stopped so that feeding time is comfortable and healthy. Secondly, mothers should not put their babies to sleep after feeding, as they may vomit and choke. Wait 10–15 minutes before putting your baby to sleep. It is better for them to sleep on their side instead of on their back, as this may lead to vomiting,” she added.
