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‘Continuous exposure to heat can lower sperm production’
• Dr Francis Wuobar, Gynecologist at Eastern Regional Hospital
Men who expose themselves to excessive heat by using motorcycles, placing laptop computers on their lap and working for long, enjoying hot baths, wearing tight clothing and sitting for long periods, have been advised to stop as the practice can negatively affect their sperm production, and lead to infertility.
Research has shown that overexposure to heat can cause scrotal heating that affects sperm quality.
Dr Francis Woubar, a Senior Doctor and Gynaecologist at the Eastern Regional Hospital has advised men to desist from exposing themselves to heat to stay fertile.
He explained in an interview with this reporter that “when it’s hot, the scrotum relaxes and the testicles settle lower. Sperm cells die when exposed to too much heat and continuous exposure to higher temperatures can cause sperm production to be lower, or cause the production of abnormally shaped sperm cells which can result in infertility.”
He added that if the testicular temperature was maintained above a desirable level for prolonged period, it could impair sperm production’s quantity and quality.
“There are some men who always have laptops on their thighs and work for long, while some are always enjoying hot baths, wearing too much tight clothes among others,” he said, indicating that these could affect their sperm production.
Dr Woubar further advised mothers who had been engaging in putting hot water on the penises of their baby boys to heal their wounds after circumcision, to desist from it.
He said the practice of exposing their babies’ testicles to heat could be harmful to them.
Dr Woubar advised that to decrease the heat on the scrotum and testicles, there was the need for men to wear loose clothes to allow for proper air circulation around the scrotum and testicles.
“Avoid placing laptops on the lap, taking hot baths and wearing tight clothes as well as sitting for long periods,” he emphasised.
He said that it would do men a lot of good if they ate healthy food and avoided smoking, drinking alcohol among other harmful practices.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
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NHIA set to boost its cybersecurity and IT Infrastructure
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), in partnership with a leading private cybersecurity solutions provider in Ghana, CyberHawk Limited, is advancing the Authority’s digital infrastructure to ensure seamless operations.
This is to safeguard the Authority’s digital technologies and maintain the trust of active members of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
In this context, the NHIA Management Information System (MIS) Directorate in the Head Office, on February 11, 2024, launched a three-day brainstorming session on the organization’s cybersecurity enhancement agenda.
The MIS Directorate Ag. Director, Mr. Daniel Blankson explained that the collaborative meeting aimed to scrutinize the NHIA’s Information Technology architecture, identifying potential risks and gapsto enhance its cybersecurity posture.
“By leveraging CyberHawk Limited’s expertise, the NHIA seeks to fortify its defenses against cyber threats, protecting sensitive information and maintaining the trust of its members.”
Mr. Blankson applauded the synergy between the two organizations and underscored the Authority’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to drive its mission forward.
The Head of Information Security and Standards Unit, in the MIS Directorate, Mr. Ebenezer Hooper, highlighted the Authority’s significant milestone on the digital transformation journey.
According to him, the NHIA is actively engaged in fully adopting and implementing modern digital systems to improve its operations.
He said, “The three-day brainstorming meeting will culminate in the development of a robust IT infrastructure, as well as strategic plans to translate security implementations into tangible IT cost savings for the organization.”
“There is the need to form a steering committee or IT advisory committee, operated under the Board, so that they can pay more attention in protecting the huge IT investment while ensuring cyber security-related policies are well protected,” he added.
The Project Manager of CyberHawk Limited, Mr. Chetan Narayana Murthy, lauded the collaboration and anticipated that it would empower the NHIA to implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures.
According to him, “This is a huge project that will greatly benefit the NHIA by implementing robust cybersecurity measures, safeguarding their systems, and ultimately protecting the sensitive information of NHIA members and healthcare providers.”
A Senior Manager of IT infrastructure, Mr. David Asare Addo, and his colleague, a Senior Manager of Applications, Mr. Enock Afanyi, with the MIS Directorate, gave an overview of the NHIA’s current technological landscape.
Present at the meeting were representatives from the Claims, Membership and Regional Operations (MRO), Research, Policy, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RPME), Corporate Affairs, the Audit, Administration, and Human Resource Directorates.
Story By : Vivian Arthur
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Swedru All Blacks back to winning ways, Roshan humble King Faisal
Sekondi Rospak FC made it eight wins in eight successive home games after three second-half goals from John Amoah, Joseph Ntow and Stephen Anthony Kofi. John Amoah opened the scoring in the 55th minute after a barren first half. Joseph Ntow added to the tally in the 56th minute before Stephen Anthony Kofi rounded things up in the 74th minute to give Rospak a 3-0 win over former Premier League side King Faisal.
Elsewhere at Swedru – leaders Swedru All Blacks humbled PAC Academy in an emphatic 2-0 win. Zayat Bubakari scored first for Swedru All Blacks in the 27th minute before Rudolf Junior Nana Kwasi Mensah made it 2-0 in the 34th minute. Swedru All Blacks are top of the table with 36 points – 4 points ahead of second placed Rospak FC.
Meanwhile, Former Premier League side Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs recorded their fourth successive home victory after beaten New Edubiase United 2-1 at the Robert Mensah Park. Enoch Odoom struck first for Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs in the 19th minute but Steven Asante equalized for New Edubiase United before halftime. After the interval, Godfred Eshun scored from distance in the 65th minute to help Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs secure all the points.
Here are the results in Zone Two
