Category Health

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• July 17, 2024
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• 3 minutes Read

President Akufo-Addo Commissions Fomena and Kumawu Hospitals

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday, commissioned the Fomena and Kumawu Hospitals, both in the Ashanti Region, at separate colourful ceremonies attended by traditional leaders and the public.

The 120-bed state-of-the-art facilities constructed by NMS Infrastructure Limited come with maternity and pediatric wards, consulting and treatment rooms, theatres and recovery rooms, public health department, accident and emergency, laundry, and mortuary among others.

They are equipped with modern equipment and specialised departments designed to provide comprehensive primary healthcare and a wide range of services for people in the two districts and beyond.

President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to completing critical projects regardless of which administration initiated them to enhance the quality of life for Ghanaians through superior healthcare services.

The completion of the Fomena Hospital, he said, was a testimony to his government’s dedication to providing state-of-the-art health facilities in line with current healthcare standards across the nation.

He said the two projects formed part of a broader agenda to complete numerous healthcare projects, saying that upcoming hospitals set for commissioning included five hospitals in Elubo, Mpohor, Bogoso, Nsuaem, and Wassa Akropong as well as a public health facility at Akontonbra and the Ashanti Regional Hospital at Sewua.

“By the end of 2024, we will also complete several significant projects including the urology and nephrology Centre of excellence at the Korlebu Teaching Hospital,” the President stated.

He also spoke about the construction of 11 district hospitals and one polyclinic in the Ashanti, Eastern, Greater Accra and Ahafo Regions and various treatment and holding centres being under construction.

“These efforts align with our commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage, and guarantee improved and more efficient health services for all Ghanaians,” he noted.

According to the President, the government’s determination to improve the healthcare delivery system in the country is evident in the Agenda 111 initiative which is providing 111 standard 100-bed district hospitals and accommodation for doctors and nurses.

He assured Ghanaians that the trust placed in his government would not be in vain, adding that, the government had made substantial investments in the health sector to complete as many infrastructural projects as possible for the benefit of all Ghanaians.

He said the government was committed to expanding primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities nationwide, stressing that the Fomena hospital exemplified responsible use of taxpayers’ money.

Mr Bernard Okoe Boye, the Minister for Health, said the two projects experienced some headwinds between 2012 and 2015, but under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, the projects were completed with the provision of the needed resources.

He enumerated many healthcare projects at various stages of completion across the country which the President had shown commitment to seeing their completion for the benefit of Ghanaians.

He said under the leadership and directions of the President, all the facilities under the NMS project were at an average of 20 per cent completion by January 2017 when he was sworn in, but he did not abandon them and worked hard to complete them.

About 2,000 beds would have been added to health facilities in the Ashanti Region by the time the President hands over in January 2025, according to the Health Minister.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• July 14, 2024
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• 2 minutes Read

Ga Mantse cautions sanitation violators

The Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has cautioned those who flout sanitation regulations to refrain from the practice.

The king gave the caution during an inspection tour of the central business district (CBD) of Accra, where he commended participants of the Homowo clean-up exercise held last Saturday.

“We will ensure that this exercise goes beyond the Homowo celebrations, and become a regular feature in Accra,” he said.

The Ga Mantse stressed his commitment to sustained cleanliness, and warned that a special taskforce would begin patrolling Accra immediately to enforce sanitation by-laws.

He reiterated that violators would face prosecution in sanitation courts as a deterrence.

He called for concerted effort by local authorities and private entities to uphold cleanliness standards in Accra, aiming for a sustainable solution to sanitation challenges beyond seasonal events like Homowo.

He particularly urged residents and businesses to comply with sanitation regulations to keep the city clean and disease-free.

For her part, Madam Emma Adwoa Appiaa Osei-Duah, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Zoomlion, stressed the importance of public participation in maintaining cleanliness.

She highlighted the health risks associated with unsanitary conditions, urging traders, hawkers and shop owners to actively support sanitation efforts for their own well-being and that of their customers.

The clean-up exercise, organised as part of the Homowo festivities, saw collaboration between the Ga Mantse, various government agencies, and Zoomlion Ghana Limited. The initiative aims to maintain cleanliness beyond the festive period, ensuring that Accra remains clean and healthy for its residents and visitors.

Accompanied by senior officials from the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council and the Asafoatsemei of the Ga State, the Ga Mantse visited key locations such as Rawlings Park, CMB, Makolaand Tudu. These visits were aimed at assessing the impact and progress of the sanitation efforts.

The clean-up operation itself, led by a dedicated team comprising Asafoatsemei, Asafoanymei, and environmental sanitation officers, was supported by Zoomlion Ghana Limited. The company provided essential resources, including garbage trucks, personneland equipment, to ensure the thorough cleaning of streets and public spaces.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• July 6, 2024
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• 2 minutes Read

More women contract HIV in Volta Region – Letsa

Out of the 16,016 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Volta Region, 65.52 per cent are women, while young people (15–24), accounted for 27.5 per cent of new infections last year.

The figure includes 230 adult males, 468 adult females, 214 young people, and 80 children in the 0–14 age group.

The Technical Coordinator of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) Technical Support Unit in the Volta Region, Mary Naa Asheley Anyomi, who disclosed this at the 2024 second quarter coordination meeting of the commission in Ho last Thursday, said 57.1 per cent of PLHIV in the region were receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART).

Mrs Anyomi said Central Tongu and North Tongu districts, and Ketu North and Ketu South municipalities contributed 42.03 per cent of the total number of infections.

Also, nine areas, including Kpando, Ho, Ketu North, South Dayi, Central Tongu, North Dayi, Keta, Ho West and North Tongu had prevalence higher that the regional rate of 1.35 per cent, she added.

The technical coordinator said nine out of the 18 districts and municipalities had less than 49 per cent of ART coverage, while the target was 95 per cent.

“In addition, only three districts had the highest ART coverage of more than 70 per cent, but less than 80 per cent,” she said.

Touching on the way forward, Mrs Anyomi said there was the need to continue utilising the mass media, including community information centres, to disseminate accurate information on HIV prevention, transmission and treatment.

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, advised members of the public to eschew reckless sexual conducts, saying HIV was real.

He entreated all and sundry to avoid binge drinking and narcotics abuse which could make them lose their guard and indulge in indiscriminate and unsafe sex.

The minister said it was everyone’s responsibility to stand firm and help address the HIV situation by living responsible lifestyles.

Source: graphic.com

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• July 4, 2024
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• 2 minutes Read

More young people contracting hypertension, diabetes- UGMC

There is a growing number of young people with hypertension and diabetes in the country, the Chief Executive Officer of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), Dr Kwame Anim-Boamah, has said.

He said some of the patients were either non-compliant or not on any treatment, making it the number one cause of end-stage renal disease.

Dr Anim-Boamah, who was speaking to the Daily Graphic in an interview in Accra, attributed the increasing cases to abuse of herbal and over-the-counter medications, among others.

In a related development, the UGMC is to perform an additional two kidney transplants this month after successfully performing six similar operations last month.

The patients who are all Ghanaians, were made up of two men and four females aged between 25 and 54.

The Head of the Urology Department of UGMC, Dr Emmanuel Asante, said the procedures were performed seamlessly, explaining that barriers and challenges were overcome by a determined team who made it possible for the procedures to go on smoothly, showcasing the centre’s capabilities in complex surgical interventions and post-operative care.

In a statement, Dr Anim-Boamah said the successful completion of the first set of six kidney transplants underscored the centre’s commitment to pushing boundaries, achieving medical excellence, and improving the lives of patients through cutting-edge interventions and compassionate care.

He said the UGMC looked forward to continuing its mission of advancing healthcare standards and innovative practices in the field of transplantation.

For her part, the Media Affairs Manager of UGMC, Barbara Owusu-Hemeng, said most of the donors for the first six patients were their close family members or acquaintances.

She said the centre was currently doing only living donor transplants as “we do not currently have a bank for organs”.

The manager said the average cost of a kidney transplant at the centre was currently $25,000, adding that they were working towards reducing the cost for the average citizen.

The UGMC is an academic medical centre offering world-class patient care, training and research in Ghana, West Africa and beyond.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• June 27, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 5 minutes Read

The more fertile you are, the sooner you may die — study

One of the puzzles of evolution is why we peter out into old age once we can no longer reproduce.

Now, scientists believe that aging may actually be a consequence of how we evolved to reproduce, and it’s all a result of natural selection over millions of years.

A study analyzing the genes of 276,406 UK Biobank participants found that people carrying gene variances promoting reproduction are less likely to survive to old age.

“We confirm a hypothesis called the antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis, which says that mutations promoting reproduction are more likely to reduce life span,” said Jianzhi Zhang, of the University of Michigan in the US and senior author of the study in the journal Science.

According to the research, people carrying genetic variances promoting reproduction were more likely to die by the age of 76. The study also shows that genetic variances promoting reproduction increased over generations from 1940 to 1969, meaning humans are still evolving and strengthening the trait.

“This shows the evolutionary pattern of high reproduction and low survival [and vice versa] is still visible in modern humans. Our gene variants are the product of hundreds of thousands of years of evolution. What’s surprising is that despite our far better health than ever before, this pattern is still visible,” said Steven Austad, an expert in aging research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, in the US, who wasn’t involved in the study.

Why aren’t humans more fertile in old age?

Scientists have been puzzling over the evolutionary origins of aging for some time. It’s unclear why, from an evolutionary perspective, our reproductive performance declines with age. Surely being more fertile in old age would be evolutionary advantageous, giving us more time to pass on our genes?

Not so, according to the antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis. The hypothesis states that the benefits of fertility in early life are responsible for the dreadful cost of aging. This new study now provides robust evidence from a huge sample of humans to back it up.

“This idea is that some traits [and genetic variants that cause them] are important when we are young, helping us grow strong and be fertile. But, when we get older, those same traits can start causing problems and make us fragile and unhealthy. It’s like some mutations having two sides: a good side when we’re young, and a not-so-good side when we’re old,” said Arcadi Navarro Cuartiellas, a geneticist at the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain who was not involved in the study.

One example is the effects of menopause and fertility loss in women. Eggs, sometimes called ova, deplete during a woman’s lifetime. This makes a person more fertile in young adulthood, but results in loss of fertility later in life through menopause.

Biologists think the benefits of regular cycles for reproduction may outweigh the cost of infertility in older age. The downside is that menopause speeds up aging.

“Another example is, say, a gene variant enhances fertility so that a woman is more likely to have twins. Evolutionarily that might be advantageous, because she will potentially leave more copies of that variant than women who have single babies. But having twins leads to more wear and tear on her body so she ages more quickly. That would be an antagonistically pleiotropic process,” said Austad.

The converse is true as well. A gene variant that reduces fertility early in life will likely cause a person to have fewer or no children, so that the person ages more slowly, Austad added.

But how does the environment affect aging?

The antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis does have its criticisms, however. For one, it doesn’t account for the huge effects of the environment and socioeconomic changes on aging, and nor does this study.

After all, humans are living longer than ever before in history, and it’s mostly due to better health care rather than genetic evolution.

“These trends of phenotypic changes are primarily driven by environmental shifts including changes of lifestyles and technologies,” said Zhang. “This contrast indicates that, compared with environmental factors, genetic factors play a minor role in the human phenotypic changes studied here.”

Austad said a surprising outcome of the study was that reproductive genes had such a strong and observable effect on aging.

“Environmental factors are so important that I’m really surprised patterns [observed in this study] were still visible despite their importance. I think that is the advantage of having hundreds of thousands of individuals in a study,” he said.

Research could have implications for aging

The antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis had “mountains of evidence before this paper but not for humans,” according to Austad. But the research in humans, and with such a huge sample size, means the study could be important for understanding aging-related diseases.

“Ultimately, some of these variants could now be examined to see if they link to certain later life health problems, so that those problems can be monitored closely and possibly prevented,” Austad told DW.

Scientists think the hypothesis could help explain why many serious genetic disorders are prevalent in our long evolutionary history.

Sickle cell anemia is a good example of antagonistic pleiotropy – whereby an inherited blood disorder which causes anemia actually evolved as a protective mechanism against malaria.

Zhang told DW that antagonistic pleiotropy may also be at play in Huntington’s disease.

“Mutations causing Huntington’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, also increase fecundity [the possible number of offspring produced],” Zhang said.

Mutations in the gene which causes Huntington’s disease have also been hypothesized to lower rates of cancer.

Zhang said the paper could also have implications for the rising science of anti-aging.

“In theory, one could tinker with those antagonistically pleiotropic mutations to prolong life, but the downside would be reducing or delaying reproduction,” said Zhang.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• June 20, 2024
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• 3 minutes Read

SICCA advocates more awareness of Sickle Cell

Stakeholders and collaborators of the Sickle Cell Condition Advocates (SICCA) have called for more advocacy on sickle cell, especially before marriage.

They noted that testing among couples, especially soon-to-be-married couples, should not be a last-minute decision in order to help prevent producing more sickle cell patients in the country.

In Ghana, about 16,000 babies are born with sickle cell each year, meaning 22%-25% of the population have sickle cell traits.

To this end, they charged faith-based organisations (FBOs) to make it a point to educate their congregants on the need for testing to complement the ongoing efforts made by SICCA.

The call was made at the First Conference on the Prevention of Sickle Cell Disease in Accra, an event to mark World Sickle Cell  Awareness Day which is observed annually on June 19.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Health, Bernard Okoe Boye, said although Ghana is challenged with inevitable infrastructure and clinics for sickle cell disease, the government was working on a national non-communicable disease policy.

“It’s the national strategy for sickle cell disease, which is currently under development. The national strategy for sickle cell disease represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to address sickle cell disease in Ghana,” he said.

“I think the remarks made here have alluded to the fact that we cannot do it alone. Including labour, academia, our faith-based organization, including our chiefs, we all need to come together to push this agenda forward,” he added.

Dr. Okoe Boye expressed the commitment of his ministry to ensuring that even beyond the strategy, everybody, including the national technical working group for sickle cell, works to ensure the implementation of the plan that has been noted in the strategy over the next five years and beyond.

“We strongly hold fast to the belief that empowerment begins with education. By enhancing awareness about sickle cell disease, as SICCA is doing, we hope that individuals with the information will make informed decisions about their health,” he said.

The Minister added: “Knowledge is a powerful tool that we believe can break down barriers, dispel all misconceptions, promote end detection and intervention. However, knowledge alone is not enough, it must be coupled with action.”

Responding to a question during a panel session at the event on whether a sickle cell patient can be cured, Dr. Mavis Sakyi, a representative from the Health Ministry, disclosed that the condition is managed in Ghana although in advanced societies, studies are ongoing for a cure.

“Currently, in the advanced world, a few innovative technologies are coming up. Some trials have said that a bone marrow transplant can be done. But studies are being done to ensure once the trials are done the disease never returns,” she said.

“Until Ghana gets there, we manage the symptoms. We manage all the infections, pains, discomfort, and all the adjoining issues that come up. But we prevent it by ensuring that we don’t give birth to a child with the disease,” she added.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• June 3, 2024
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• 2 minutes Read

Gov’t offers free dialysis for vulnerable age groups

The government, through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), is offering free dialysis sessions for children under 18 and adults above 60 years.

This follows Parliament’s approval of an amount of GHC2,000,000 in the NHIA’s 2024 Allocation Formula to support needy and vulnerable patients seeking dialysis treatment.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, in a statement said the Authority, through administrative arrangements, had allocated an additional GHC2,400,000 under the Corporate Social Responsibility approved budget of the scheme to support this initiative.

It noted that  it was significant enhancement to its health benefits coverage to include dialysis patients for a period of six months.

The  vulnerable groups include (patients aged below 18 and above 60 will receive eight free dialysis sessions per month under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from June to December 2024.

It explained that the cost of dialysis for these categories, upon verification of the actual patients on dialysis, was projected to be GHC329,952 per month, and by the end of December 2024, the cumulative cost was estimated to be approximately GHC2.3 million.

Per the statement, patients from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital (ENRH), Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH), and Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), except Korle Bu, would receive two dialysis sessions per month at GHC982.00, which is GHC491 per session.

It indicated that the cost of dialysis for this treatment category was projected to be GHC144,354 per month, and by the end of December 2024, the cumulative cost was estimated to be approximately GH¢1.01 million.

Portions of the statement, he further explained that patients at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) would receive a subsidy for two dialysis sessions per month at GHS491.00. This, according to the statement, is 50% of the cost per session (GH¢245.50) due to a philanthropic gesture of GHS380.00 being offered to such patients, as indicated on Table 3, to address equity across all facilities.

“The cost of dialysis for this treatment category at KBTH is projected to be GH¢147,300 per month, and by the end of December 2024, the cumulative cost is estimated to be approximately GH¢1.03 million.

“This means a total of approximately GH¢4.4 million is being invested to support this initiative, adding that the Government is committed to finding sustainable interventions to deal with renal diseases and other illnesses not holistically covered under the NHIS, and will soon unveil a sustainable plan,” it added.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• May 8, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

UNFPA recognises midwives’ vital role in global healthcare crisis

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency, has highlighted the indispensable role of midwives in safeguarding millions of lives globally.

In a statement released to mark the International Day of the Midwife, the Executive Director of the UNFPA, Dr. Natalia Kanem, emphasised the crucial contributions of midwives, particularly in crisis situations and amidst the escalating challenges posed by climate change.

The statement underscored the unparalleled dedication of midwives who often operate in adverse conditions, including navigating through floodwaters or extreme heat to provide essential maternal and reproductive health care.

It praised midwives as the unsung heroes of community health services, ensuring safer births, and offering culturally sensitive care tailored to women’s needs.

The statement raised concerns over the exacerbating impact of climate change on maternal health, with rising temperatures posing additional risks such as premature births and miscarriages.

In the statement, Dr. Kanem emphasised the vital role of midwives in mitigating these challenges, citing their ability to deliver up to 90 percent of essential sexual and reproductive health services.

Despite their critical role, the statement lamented the global shortage of around a million midwives and the harsh working conditions that deter many from joining the profession.

The statement condemned gender discrimination within the field, which perpetuates low wages, limited opportunities for advancement, and instances of sexual harassment.

In the context of Ghana, Dr. Kanem lauded the efforts of midwives in providing reproductive health services to asylum seekers and refugees, even during crisis like the Akosombo Dam Spillage Flood.

The statement highlighted UNFPA’s investment in midwifery education and capacity building, including support for the Bachelor of Science degree programme at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

The statement acknowledged UNFPA’s collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other partners in reviewing strategic plans and strengthening midwifery associations and advancing the profession and advocating for reproductive health rights.

The statement called for renewed commitment to supporting and empowering midwives, especially in the face of worsening climate crisis. It urged collective action to ensure that every woman has access to skilled maternal care, emphasizing that the time to act is now.

It stressed the need rewrite the narrative surrounding midwifery, acknowledging their invaluable contributions and championing their cause on a global scale.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• April 25, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 3 minutes Read

Make significant investments toward immunization- HFFG urges government

Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), a non-governmental organization, is urging the government to commit substantial financial resources investment towards achieving immunization sovereignty for the country.

It noted that although the government had done well thus far, more had to be done, especially, as the country is in its GAVI’s (Global Vaccine Alliance) Accelerated Transition Phase.

“As the country is in GAVI’s Accelerated Transition Phase, making a deliberate effort to increase domestic resource mobilization, dedicated to the procurement of vaccines, immunization service delivery and Primary Health Care is crucial to saving lives, enhancing the quality of life and achieving immunization sovereignty,” HFFG indicated in a statement to mark the 2024 Immunization Week celebration.

GAVI is an independent public-private partnership and multilateral finance structure that aims at increasing worldwide access to the use of vaccines, particularly among vulnerable children.

GAVI has been supporting Ghana’s immunisation programme with 80 percent of the cost and delivery of vaccines and has contributed immensely to the strengthening of health systems over the years.

Following the attainment of lower middle-income status, Ghana will, from 2027, be removed from the list of beneficiary countries receiving free vaccines under GAVI support.

Per the Vaccine Alliance transition policy that aims at moving countries from development assistance to domestic financing of immunization programmes, Ghana would stay in accelerated transition until 2029 and fully transit by January 2030.

In the spirit of the Immunization Week celebration, a key component of HFFG’s Financing Immunization Advocacy Response Project (FAIR Project), it urged the government to build upon this progress by paying up the arrears by midyear.

“This commitment will further strengthen our immunization programs and contribute to achieving our shared goal of universal immunization coverage,” the statement said.

Making a case, HFFG indicated that the timely release of funds is essential for procuring vaccines to avoid shortages and address current and emerging health threats and vaccine shortages.

“Most importantly it safeguards the country against any form of shortage that could have adverse effects on the administration of vaccines especially for children,” it said.

“An increase in national budgets for Primary Health Care is vital for strengthening health systems and supporting outreach programs. These resources contribute to the development and sustenance of robust vaccination campaigns that reach even the most hard-to-reach and underserved communities,” it further argued.

Among other things, HFFG reaffirmed its unwavering dedication to advocating  greater domestic resource mobilization and increased accountability for results in reaching zero-dose children and increasing immunization coverage.

The organization pledged its commitment to collaborating with the government and other stakeholders to advance public health goals and promote sustainable development.