Health Essentials

The dreams of a son of the land

Physical education in schools has found its way into history books

Open gutters eager to welcome all forms of garbage to choke them, craters with strips of what may have been asphalt and probably called roads some years earlier. Young men arguing at the top of their voices under trees during working hours and sadly it appears they have no plans of finding jobs or creating one.

They find a way to satisfy their hunger every day. These scenarios are definitely not what I dream for my beloved country. Though many people especially those living outside our borders like to convince themselves as well as all others that it is all gloom in our land, that is far from the truth; many people want to excel at what they do even in the face of challenges and young minds are doing wonderful things.

Many people are dreaming and making things happen in a decent way. Only Ghanaians can make Ghana a haven; complain as much as you want but do not leave it at that. Do something to bring about the change you desire. No country has been built without the sacrifice of its people.

I see health facilities springing up in several places especially in the capital. Why are we not training health professionals to man these centres? We can and should invest in the training of professionals who specialise in a chosen field and that should not be restricted to doctors only.

Long service or having friends in high places should not be the criteria for heading a major health facility; we can get things right if we make the right choices.

The silence on preventive medicine is deafening. Physical Education in schools has found its way into history books and hand washing appears to be necessary only when one uses the toilet. Little wonder diarrhea diseases have a field day in our health facilities. Let us get back to the basics.

I dream of a beautiful land where booths for checking blood pressure and blood sugar at the very least can be found in every corner “from Gambaga to Accra, from Wiaso to Keta…”

Why do we have to lose so many people needlessly to hypertension and diabetes? The first time I read that the sphygmomanometer (for measuring blood pressure) also measures “common sense” I found it quite insulting but after much reflection, it may be the painful truth.

Five minutes may be all it takes to save a life. Aren’t all lives important? Why do people leave home late for work and then use dispatch riders paid by our tax money to literally drive us off the road? We can embark on a programme to check the blood pressure of everyone in the country in a year.

Checking for diabetes may cost us a little more but it is certainly doable and it should be a must! I dream of the day when blood sugar will be checked at most visits to a health facility just like we check blood pressure; maybe a little exaggerated but I am sure you can dream with me.

I love to dream and “I hope someday you may join me” because we need to dream and then put into practice. If we can dream it then surely we can get it done (Combert Impressions comes to mind) and of course there will be challenges but we can succeed.

If we have days for cleaning our surroundings then we surely can have days when we all do some walking. How glorious that will be if we could cover our drains so people can walk safely.

It is not my aim to cause anyone to lose business but why should children have access to coloured water loaded with sugar in school. I think schools should say NO to these toxins disguised as refreshing drinks.

The carnage on our roads is real. I was excited when I heard of changes to issuing and renewing drivers licenses. Is there a way we can penalize people for dangerous driving? Can we use pictures? Or cameras or maybe our Police Officers can help?

This year a lot of health education worldwide has focused on the family and maybe we should also place a lot of responsibility on family units. Strong, responsible and disciplined families will lead to a country of our dreams but how do we get families to tow this path?

Are the children our hope? Can schools and churches and groups who want to see and experience a country of their dreams help to grow and mentor our young ones?

Many times I wonder if it’s possible to have every parent invest some money each month no matter how small once a child is born. Imagine what the power of compound interest and time can do by the time the child is old enough to take over making the money and investing.

Yes I do appreciate the level of poverty in many quarters but we have to start somewhere.

We need more optimists to step up and guide us where we belong.

Pardon me for rambling but DREAMS seldom follow a clear path. I look forward to seeing our dreams become a reality.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

Health Essentials Ltd (HE&W Group)

(dressel@healthessentialsgh. com)

*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’

Thought for the week – “As World DIABETES Day (14th Nov) approaches, make an effort to KNOW YOUR NUMBER.”

Physical education in schools has found its way into history books

By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

www.thespectatoronline.com

Health Essentials

Making the most of your visit to the doctor

A doctor and a patient in a consulting room

Very often we leave the doctor’s office only to remember that we left out a major complaint. Some patients immediately rush back to the consulting room totally oblivious of the privacy that the next patient is entitled to. They expect that as they walk in, the doctor should ignore the seated or positioned patient and attend to them. That is totally outrageous. Others go home and continue to live with the condition hoping to be healed miraculously.

Most of us will be extremely lucky to spend fifteen (15) minutes with our doctor and this time is often much shorter in countries/communities where the doctor-patient ratio is so low that at best it can be described as criminal.

We are still in the first quarter of 2025, and I highly recommend that you see a doctor not only when you are unwell but as a means to assess your state of wellbeing and take the needed precautions.

To make the most out of our time with the doctor we need to PREPARE. If your condition is an emergency, then you do not have the benefit of time to prepare.

A must do!

Kindly ensure your personal hygiene is excellent.

Take a good bath and brush your teeth
Wear clean clothes that also make undressing easy, especially if you need to expose some areas for inspection/examination.

This may sound ridiculous, but the opposite does happen in real life.

Remember that doctors are human and when you are unkempt you may not get adequate contact with your doctor.

Research on the symptoms

If you have access to the internet or a book worth its salt you may read about your symptoms or wait to read after your doctor tells you your diagnosis.

Remember that if you need to research on the internet, it is essential that you use a reputable site.

In tune with your complaints

Write down your complaints/symptoms if you think you may forget
If you have had a similar problem and have the results of any investigations e.g. Laboratory tests, x-rays, CT scans etc kindly carry them along
Let your doctor know if you react to any drugs
Be truthful about any medications you have taken for the condition, if you do not remember the names make sure you go with the containers
If you have any other medical conditions (and medication) make the doctor aware
Remember to make a note of the following
1. When did the symptoms/complaint begin?
1. How long have you had these symptoms?
1. Is it getting worse?
1. Does anything make the condition worse?
1. What makes you feel better?
1. Is anything related to their onset?
1. How often does it occur?
1. How long does it last e.g. in pain conditions as well as rash, allergies etc
1. Does anyone else in your family have them?
1. How do they affect your daily life?
1. Is it related to work or home?

You may need to modify these slightly when you have skin lesions, swellings etc. This list is by no means exhaustive, and you may not need to find answers to all of them before getting help, but they will definitely help you ace the visit to your doctor.

If your doctor books you for surgery, do not leave his presence without finding out the following:

Will you go home on the same day of the surgery?
Will you need assistance to go home or can you drive unsupervised for instance
What form of anaesthesia will you be given?

Then, if your visit is for a medical examination, do remember that also being aware of disease conditions in your family will help your doctor select the appropriate tests and make the whole experience and time useful.

See you in the consulting room soon.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

Health Essentials Ltd (HE&W Group)

(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)

Thought for the week – “The next big thing in Healthcare in Ghana is the Medics Clinic. Visit https://medicsgroupgh.com/ for more information.”

References:

By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

Health Essentials

This Valentine’s weekend renew your energy

t is quite common to hear people complain about a lack of energy, fatigue, foggy brain and a host of others. The real danger is the accidents and errors that this situation may cause, and quite often many people suffer the consequences.

There is NO quick fix for renewing your energy, but it doesn’t take an effort akin to manning a spaceship to achieve this. Over the past few years, I have been a huge proponent of Greenscription. This essentially involves PRESCRIBING everyday lifestyle modifications that make us the best version of ourselves. Definitely every human will occasionally have a bad day, but we can minimise these and enjoy life.

Yes, you may need a supplement sometimes or require medication to correct or treat a condition, but we will all feel more energised if we practice the steps below. Remember “one healthy choice is ALWAYS followed by another”, start slowly and add on. We all have what it takes.

1. Learn new things: yes, we all need to. Avoid rut. What are you learning now?

2. Simplify things: no need to complicate things. If it appears too complicated its either you don’t understand it or you are on the wrong path

3. Think positively: your cells are listening to you at all times. Speak positive words

4. Eat healthy food: we are what we eat. I am sure people powered by unhealthy, refined food-like substances is definitely the wrong “fuel”

a. I believe you know water is an essential component of your food. Drink adequate amounts.

5. Socialise: we are no islands. DO NOT isolate yourselves. We derive energy from people but avoid energy sappers. They will drain you to death.

6. Meditate: allow your brain to rest

7. Move and play: Exercise and play happen to be one of the few things that provide instant results. When did you last take a walk outdoors or join friends to play a game of table tennis or other.

8. Be grateful: Gratitude appears too simple to be real BUT it is a game changer

9. Enjoy sunlight: very few things beat sunlight. Little wonder seasons with limited sunlight have high numbers of people with mental health challenges

10. Spend time in nature: the sound of water, rocks, greenery. They have amazing benefits. Spend time in nature and do it often. You may even create your own at home or at the workplace.

11. Music is life; but it needs to be the right type.

12. Get enough sleep: It all starts with Sleep, and it ought to be restful. If you have sleep apnoea you may be doing yourself a disfavour. If you snore, talk to your doctor and get the appropriate tests done.

13. REST – Even the Almighty God rested. Not because He needed it BUT he had to set an example for us. Sometimes we just need to sit and “do nothing” or get creative or cut out the noise.

Do put these into practice and next week we will delve into what we need to avoid to remain energised.

This Valentine’s weekend, renew your energy and continue with the tips that will ensure you remain the best version of yourself.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

Dr Kojo Cobba Essel

Health Essentials Ltd (HE&W Group)

(dressel@healthessentialsgh. com)

Thought for the week – “The next big thing in Healthcare in Ghana is the Medics Clinic from Medics Group & Health Essentials. Send me an email at dressel@healthessentialsgh.com for more information.”

References:

1. Culled from Mental Health on LinkedIn

By Dr Kojo Cobba Essel