News
Stroke: Major cause of death in Eastern Region
A total of 410 stroke mortality were recorded in the Eastern Region in 2019.
Hypertension was also ranked second with 209 deaths out of 2,000 deaths, which were recorded in the region within the year under review.
For three consecutive years, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) has topped the death list with stroke as the main underlying cause in the region between 2017 and 2019.
This was revealed by the New Juaben North Municipal Health Director, Mrs Nana Yaa Konadu Gyesaw on a sideline interview during a press encounter to commemorate this year’s World Heart Day.
The media briefing was organised by the Stroke Association Support Network (SASNET) on the theme; “Prioritising CVD and stroke prevention and control as part of measures towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and to protect the health of Ghanaians now and beyond COVID-19 era”.
Mr Konadu Gyesaw said the Out Patient Departments (OPDs) of various hospitals within the region recorded 7,975 cases of cardiovascular diseases in 2017 while in 2018, 8,628 cases were recorded and 9,706 cases also recorded in 2019.
She said the rate at which CVD related deaths, particularly stroke had continued to be on the ascendency in the region must be the cause of concern to all stakeholders.
“We can help save our own lives by avoiding fatty foods, eating in the night, smoking, excessive intake of alcohol and cultivate the habit of frequent exercise and drinking enough water to keep our bodies healthy.
“Our health must be a major concern to all of us because in the past, it was only adults who got stroke but now, children between the ages of eight and 10 are also contracting stroke”, she said.
Mrs Juliet Anaglo, speaking on behalf of the president of SASNET, Chief Dr Ben Jabuni called on the government to treat cardiovascular diseases and stroke as an emergency public health and develop policies to put CVD and stroke high on the political agenda.
The Eastern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Health, Mr Emmanuel Kwafo Mintah also called on the Ministry of Health (MoH) to intensify education and sensitisation on healthy lifestyles and encourage the adoption of regenerative health practices to boost their systems.
He urged the government to enforce the tobacco control legislation, and institute free cervical cancer screening across the country.
From: David Kodjo, Koforidua.
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
