Editorial
Let’s take measures to ensure safety of public’s health
Up until recently, there was an attempt of advertising for various medicines on the market, and gullible victims purchased these medicines.
Unknowingly, people take unapproved medications every day, endangering their lives for a product they should be able to trust.
It is regrettable that some media outlets do not verify the legitimacy and efficacy of particular medications before advertising them.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has said that it will take action against the media for promoting unapproved medications.
This is due to the fact that unapproved medications put customers at risk because the FDA has not examined them to assure their safety, efficacy, or product quality.
The Spectator suggests that the FDA should not only focus attention on the media but also on individuals who parade themselves in vehicles peddling a variety of drugs that they say may treat a variety of maladies.
Even though the majority of these unapproved medicines lack labels containing information on dose or the manufacturing process, people still use them in significant amounts to treat illnesses or conditions for which they are not indicated.
However, some people assert that taking such unapproved medications may be useful in treating specific ailments. They should be aware that the lack of control renders the medications unreliable, hazardous, and a major issue that necessitates close monitoring.
Innocent victims purchase these medications, but instead of feeling better after taking them, they develop a variety of health issues that may quickly result in death.
It is not unexpected that the prevalence of chronic illnesses and fatal conditions, such as heart, liver, and renal dysfunction, has been rising recently. The FDA has a responsibility to safeguard vulnerable people from the dangers associated with these medications.
It is a truth that taking unauthorised medications can have negative effects on one’s health as well as the health of their communities, country, and the entire world.
The Spectator therefore implores the public to verify before purchasing any medication to guarantee that it is both safe and efficient for the intended use.
By Sections 100 and 114 of the Public Health Act of 2012, Act 851, and the FDA Guidelines for the Advertisement of Regulated Products any unapproved promotion of FDA-regulated products as a preventive measure or treatment for an illness, ailment, or abnormal physical state is prohibited.
According to the aforementioned standards, marketing executives of media organisations, both print and electronic, must adhere to the FDA advertising restrictions in order to avoid endangering the public’s health by promoting phony goods.
We must all take action to ensure the safety of the public’s health,
Editorial
Kudos to Ho Teaching Hospital staff, but …
Dear Editor,
If there is any group of professionals that get bad-mouthed the most, then you are referring to nurses and medical doctors assigned to public hospitals across the country.
For this particular letter, I want to sing the praises of this same group of professionals that work at the Ho Teaching Hospital, famously known as Trafalgar.
Despite the work load and the mass casualties received at the emergency ward of the hospital, the welcoming nature of the nurses and the professional touch by the doctors can’t be ignored. My personal experience has got me travelling from my base in Accra to seek medical services from these professionals.
Special mention has to be made of the likes of Precious of the Pharmacy Department, Dr Brandon Banor (a maxillofacial resident) of the Dental unit, male nurse Justice assigned to the female surgical ward. Words cannot really do justice to their affable, professional caring nature. A simple thank you is all that I can say.
In the same vein, I can’t but call out the bad attitude of the auxiliary staff and contractors of the hospital.
Chief among them is some of the contracted bank staff that handle the payment section of the hospital and the patient registration section (those that check the status of the patient as to whether they are fee paying patients or NHIS sponsored).
The attitude at times leaves a bad taste in the mouth. One such occurrence was a night staff of the registration section who had her legs on the office table whilst talking to patients.
The CEO of the hospital needs to shine his torch light on this support sections before they erode the awesome performance of the direct medical staff of the hospital.
Thank you for the space.
Kwesi Manu
Accra
Editorial
Develop policies to address disability concerns
Dear Editor,
AT the beginning of the year, when I went to the bank to deposit money into my uncle’s account, I observed a very sad situation where a man in a wheelchair struggled to navigate his way around the facility.
This is because the structure is disability unfriendly.
As I stood and watched how the man struggled to move his wheelchair, I felt sad and wondered if this is how the life of a disabled person should be. It becomes worse if there is no one to offer help.
In Ghana, People With Disabilities (PWDs) are often treated differently and are often subjected to all forms of discrimination.
Most of these people find themselves in such a situation as a result of unfortunate happenings such as accidents and injuries.
It is, therefore, not appropriate for anyone to discriminate against them. Discrimination against such persons take many forms, including how buildings are constructed.
Most of the public structures are not disability friendly and impede their movement.
As a country, we should consider the PWDs in designing our structures. I also think that there should be a national policy that seeks to address this issue.
I have a strong conviction that when such a policy is developed by the government, people with disabilities would feel appreciated and also promote social inclusivity.
Ray,
Kasoa
