News

Tooth decay cases rises in Tema

• Visit dentist regularly to avoid tooth decay

Dr Kakra Bonsu Appiah, Head of the Dental and Oral Surgery Department at the Tema General Hospital, says tooth decay has become the most common dental problem affecting residents of Tema.

Dr Appiah mentioned that there have been more patients reporting with cavities, toothaches, and other complications linked to poor oral hygiene.

He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that tooth decay was caused by the breakdown of the tooth’s structure due to acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, which thrive on sugary foods and poor brushing habits, making good oral hygiene practices essential in preventing the disease.

“The most common cause of dental caries is poor oral hygiene. When you look at how dental caries form, you will understand that poor oral hygiene is the leading cause of dental caries; it is about leaving food debris around the teeth,” he stated.

Dr Appiah explained that many of the cases presented at the hospital could have been avoided through regular brushing, proper diet, and timely dental check-ups, emphasising that maintaining oral health was not just about having clean teeth but also plays a critical role in overall well-being.

He advised residents to brush their teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss regularly to remove food particles between teeth, and reduce the intake of sugary snacks and drinks, as well as visit the dentist twice a year.

The dentist also expressed concern that people only visited the hospital when the pain became unbearable, urging Ghanaians to visit the dentist regularly to prevent emergencies.

Dr Appiah further appealed to parents to educate children on good oral hygiene practices from an early age and reduce their intake of sugary foods. —GNA

News

Strengthening Diplomatic Ties: US Ambassador meets Interior Minister

Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak received the Ambassador Virginia Palmer, US Ambassador to Ghana in his office in Accra.

The meeting, focused on strengthening bilateral ties and discussing mutual interests and officially inform the Minister of the end of her duty tour in Ghana.

Muntaka Mubarak outlined key areas of interest of the Ministry, and explored opportunities for continued collaboration.

The Minister also commended Amb. Palmer for her contributions to the Interior Ministry and its agencies, highlighting the progress made in U.S.-Ghana relations.

Amb. Virginia Palmer thanked the Minister for his support during her tenure in Ghana and assured him of the continuous support of the US government not just to the Interior Ministry but Ghana as a whole.

The discussions underscored the strong partnership between the Ghana and US with both sides expressing commitment to strengthening ties in areas of mutual benefit.

News

Ministry of Health commends partners for supporting MahamaCares

The Ministry of Health has expressed its profound appreciation to Telecel Ghana, Alive Industries, East Cantonment Pharmacy, and KMI Energies for their generous contributions to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares), an initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to individuals living with chronic diseases across the country.

Telecel Ghana has pledged to support the initiative by equipping three (3) healthcare centers with HPV testing kits, digital colposcopes, and biopsy instruments.

The donation, which will also cover operational costs for these facilities over two years, is expected to enable the screening of at least 5,000 women in the first year, offering free diagnostic services to underserved communities.

Additionally, Alive Industries has donated ₵500,000.00, East Cantonment Pharmacy has contributed ₵50,000.00, and KMI Energies has supported the initiative with ₵5,000.00.

These contributions are expected to significantly strengthen the MahamaCares initiative and help expand its reach and impact nationwide.

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, praised the efforts of the contributing organizations and emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in improving national health outcomes.