News
Be compassionate in caring for the sick — Prof. Alder
Staff and students of Ensign Global College in a group picture
Professor Stephen Alder, the President of Ensign Global College at Kpong, has urged public health officers to be compassionate when caring for the sick.
Prof. Alder, who was addressing the college’s 10th anniversary and ninth graduation ceremony, said, “We have to remember that these are human beings that are being affected by these issues, and we have to be compassionate in our care and protection for their health as well.”
The programme, which saw 28 public health students graduating, was on the theme: ‘Celebrating a Decade of Educating Professional and Entrepreneurial Leaders for Prosperity.’
He said public health was a big field that covered so many areas of human lives, including the cholera outbreak, counterfeit medications and expired food consumption.
“We have watched with concern as cases of cholera have been detected in Ghana. We’ve watched and seen the issues related to not only expired food but counterfeit medications, all sorts of things that are going to undermine efforts to keep people healthy and well.”
He said when these issues were seen, it meant that something had slipped through, and they had to figure out why it occurred and correct that for the future.
Prof. Alder further said to ensure that public health practitioners provided professional care to the public, the private-owned health training college was committed to working the training of highly competent professionals, who were going to protect the public’s health, help with the regulatory bodies, and the health system.
Dr Lynette Gay, the Founder and Board Chairman of Ensign Global College, said she identified that there was need for a change in the health of the community, home, and families, as good health began from the home.
She stated that it was this awareness that informed the establishment of the college to train professionals to provide effective care and protection right from the family, stressing that, “We hate to see people go to the hospitals at the last resort if they can address their health needs within their own knowledge in their home.”
She then encouraged the public health officials to have community involvement, go beyond their imagination, and not to stop themselves from impacting positively on the health of the communities.
Ensign Global College was established in 2014 by Dr Mrs Lynette Gay and Mr Bob Gay in fulfilment of their desire and passion to transform public health education in West Africa, with the aim of improving the quality of life among West Africans through scholarship for a robust healthcare system. -GNA
News
‘Nipahiamoa’ residents cry for basic social amenities
Residents of a farming community in the Nkoranza North District of the Bono East Region are living under conditions that directly reflect or connote the name of the township, Nipahiamoa.
The name of the town, Nipahiamoa, when translated directly means ‘humans need help.’
Despite the contribution in ensuring there is sufficient food in not only the region but the country at large, Nipahiamoa lacks basic social amenities to make life enjoyable after their farming activities.
water for the people of Nipahiamoa
According to some of the members of the community that The Spectator spoke to during a visit to the area, they lacked basic needs such as potable water, health post, among others.
This, they claimed, was impacting negatively on their general wellbeing and appealed to authorities to come to their aid.
The Unit Committee chairman of Nipahiamoa, Mr James Najohnbo, told this paper on Thursday that successive governments have neglected the town over the years.
“It is the reason we are where we are today in this era of development. Some people poke fun that our condition is a reflection of the name of the town but I don’t believe that. We have been neglected by governments over the years. There are no government initiatives here,” he explained.
The community, inhabited by over one thousand people, mostly settlers, is located on the Techiman-Kintampo stretch of the Trans-ECOWAS highway which connect from Tema to Mali.
Mr Najohnbo, who conducted this reporter around, revealed that a borehole constructed for the community by the former Member of Parliament for Nkoranza North, Major Derrick Oduro, had since broke down, compelling the people to turn to the Bono manso waterfalls which they trek several kilometres for their source of water.
Mr Najohnbo stated that their children are not left out in this challenges as they had to trek to either Manso or Dweneho, about two kilometres to access healthcare and education.
He added that a wooden structure constructed in 1994 currently serves as the only primary school for the community.
“Our kids had to trek several kilometres to Manso to attend school which come at cost to most parents.”
A 30-year old hairdresser, Rebecca Dibenpong, also appealed to authorities to come up with income generating activities to boost economic lives of the people.
She alleged that politicians often claimed they don’t have enough numbers to attract development, hence such initiatives were directed to bigger communities.
Like the name suggest, Nipahiamoa, the community needs urgent attention to make life meaningful for the people who contribute to the national economy by way of their farming activities.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Nipahiamoa
News
Maternal mortality rate increases in Ashanti Region
The Ghana Health Service has revealed a staggering statistic of 1,000 women losing their lives during childbirth in the Ashanti Region between 2020 and 2024.
This alarming number, according to the Regional Health Director, Dr Frank Adomanko Boateng, highlights the persistent challenge of maternal mortality in Ghana, despite efforts to improve maternal healthcare.
Dr Adomanko Boateng, therefore emphasized on an urgent need for stronger interventions to curb the high rate of maternal deaths.
Speaking at the 2024 Regional Health Forum, he indicated that “Ghana is struggling to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.”
Dr Boateng stressed that time was of the essence, saying, “The clock is ticking, and we must double our efforts.”
He called for intensified measures over the next six years to bridge the gap and prevent further loss of lives.
Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio, he noted, has been declining from 760 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017.
However, “the country still faces significant challenges in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in regions like Ashanti.”
To address the issue, he said, Ghana has been working to improve maternal healthcare through various initiatives, including the Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
The country aims to reduce maternal mortality by strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to quality care, and enhancing community engagement
From Kingsley E. Hope,
Kumasi
