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Oral sex can lead to throat cancer – Physician Assistant
● Mrs Cynthia Acromond
It may come as an acquired habit over the years and the possibility of deriving pleasure from it could be great but difficult to be abandoned.
Despite the feelings associated with it, sexual partners who indulge in oral sex risk contracting throat cancer.
Mrs Cynthia Acromond, a Physician Assistant who was the leader of the Cervical Cancer Awareness Creation team at the Volta River Authority (VRA) Aboadze Hospital in the Shama District of the Western Region said contracting cervical cancer could be possible if the sexual partner had the Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) at her genitals.
Giving some statistics, Mrs Acromond told The Spectator that, about 1,140 women aged between 21 and 60 years had been screened from January 2022 to date ( January 2023) at the VRA Hospital.
She said, 35 girls and five boys ,aged between nine and 14 years, had been vaccinated with their first doses and were awaiting second dose.
She disclosed that, one patient whose cancer was at the advanced stage had been referred to Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) for chemotherapy in 2022.
“We conduct visual inspection with acetic acid dub on the cervix for two to three minutes to see if there is any change ( aceto whitening) which indicates cancer cells on the cervix. We also pap smear. That is, the test done to know if there is intraepithelial malignant cells on the cervix,” Mrs Acromond explained.
She noted that cervical cancer was preventable and that no woman should die as a result of the disease.
She said cervical cancer was sexually transmitted and listed preventive measures such as “safe sex practices abstinence, being faithful to one’s partner and the use of condom if one cannot abstain,”.
Mrs Acromond assured “It is projected that cervical cancer could be eradicated by the year 2100 because of vaccination and screening for pre- cancer disease of the cervix. There are effective vaccines that can be given prophylactically.”
She said,” Early detection is treatable; that is why we are preaching prevention.
Which include vaccination, safe sex practices, sex education tailored to age and culture while secondary prevention, involves screening. Tertiary prevention involves treatment of the disease, surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.”
The District Director of Health, Judith Naa Deide Okine, also advised the public against multiple sex partners, adding “ We need everybody on board to assist in the campaign in order to “avoid deaths caused by cervical cancer.”
The Medical Superintendent at the VRA Aboadze Hospital, Dr Taurus Valmont, said one strategy was to rope in commercial sex workers since they were predisposed to cervical cancers.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Aboadze
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GEXIM to host “SME GO” programme stakeholder sensitisation and fair on September 18
The Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana will be hosting the final phase of the stakeholder sensitisation exercise on the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Growth and Opportunity (SME GO) Programme at the Bank’s headquarters located at the Africa Trade House, in Accra.
The stakeholder sensitisation event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday SSeptember18, 2024 at 10 am and will give attendees a deeper insight into the SME GO Programme with a focus on the dynamics of the programme, eligibility criteria application process and how the initiative seeks to assist Ghanaian SMEs to scale up and compete favorably in the international marketplace.
The confirmed speakers and dignitaries for the event will highlight how Ghanaian SMEs can leverage on the SME GO Programme to build the capacities and make them sustainable.
They include Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Hon. K. T. Hammond, Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, Greater Accra Regional Minister as well as the Chief Executive Officers of the Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana.
Alongside the stakeholder sensitisation event, GEXIM will be hosting a special edition of its popular SME Fair dubbed “SME GO Mart” at the forecourt of the Africa Trade House, from 8am to 8pm.
The theme for the “SME GO Mart” is “Celebrating Ghanaian SMEs” and it will provide a platform for Ghanaian entrepreneurs to showcase various top-quality Made-In-Ghana products.
Over hundred Ghanaian entrepreneurs with unique products have been confirmed to participate in the fair.
They will be exhibiting several unique and authentic products at unbeatable prices including food and ingredients, beverages, skin and beauty care products, textiles, apparel, garments, leather footwear, slippers, and many others.
In July 2024, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance launched the SME GO Programme, a ground breaking initiative which sought to provide Ghanaian SMEs with the needed funds, requisite technology and knowledge as well as other relevant resources and tools to aid their growth to become international giants.
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Zipline, GHS reduce maternal mortality in Ashanti Region by 56.4% – Study
A recent impact assessment study on aerial logistics to improve maternal health and emergencies has revealed a remarkable reduction in maternal mortality by 56.4% in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Zipline and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
This was revealed at the National Ghana Health Service Research Conference organized by the Ghana Health Service in partnership with Zipline. The study, which focused on the impact of aerial logistics in healthcare, also noted a 19.9% increase in antenatal visits and a 25% rise in in-facility births, signaling a significant boost in maternal health outcomes.
The success according to the study is attributed to the on-demand availability of blood and essential medical supplies provided by Zipline’s innovative drone delivery system. This consistent access to critical resources has increased patient confidence in the healthcare system, encouraging more mothers to seek necessary care throughout their pregnancies.
Speaking on the highlight of the study, the Research Officer at Ashanti Regional Health Directorate stated, “the significant decrease in maternal mortality we’ve seen is a clear indication of the vital role that reliable access to medical supplies plays in healthcare. The ability to deliver blood and essential medicines exactly when they’re needed has transformed how mothers in the Ashanti Region perceive and engage with the healthcare system.”
“It’s an achievement that speaks to the importance of introducing technology in healthcare delivery. Mothers now feel more confident in seeking care, knowing that they will receive the support they need throughout their pregnancies,”he stated.
The study examined data from 191 health facilities, including hospitals, health centers, and Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) Compounds. Among these, 99 facilities were served by Zipline’s aerial logistics, while 91 were not. The research employed adjusted rates for various key indicators, such as antenatal consultations, emergency visits, referrals, live births, hysterectomies, maternal deaths, and neonatal deaths, as the main dependent variables.
The qualitative aspect of the study aimed to describe and analyze the changes in satisfaction levels among healthcare providers and patients, perceived quality of care in maternal health and emergencies, and experiences related to the use of aerial logistics. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 23 healthcare providers at the participating facilities.
Globally, maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge, with stark disparities between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of maternal deaths occur in LMICs, often due to preventable causes. In Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region, the problem is critical, reflecting the broader challenges faced across the African continent. Beyond this, socio-economic, geographic, and infrastructural factors intensify the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve maternal health outcomes.
As maternal mortality continues to pose a challenge in low-to-middle-income countries, the success seen in Ghana’s Ashanti Region offers a promising model for other regions and nations striving to improve maternal health outcomes through innovative solutions.
Zipline is poised to continue leading the way in revolutionizing healthcare delivery, ensuring that every mother has access to the life-saving resources, no matter where she lives.
