Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh (behind microphone), addressing the annual general meeting. Photo: Seth Adu Agyei
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12th December, 2011
Non-Communicable Diseases Among Top 10 Causes Of Death
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, hypertension, stroke and cancers, have slipped into the top 10 causes of morbidity and mortality in Ghana.
According to the Minister of Health, Mr. Joseph Yieleh Chireh, the issue of NCDs has become so broad, that it can no longer be addressed by any single government ministry.
“Effective NCD prevention and control requires leadership and ‘total government’ action at all levels (national, sub-national and local) and across sectors, such as health, education, energy, agriculture, sports, transport, and urban planning” he added.
He stated this at the 8th Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra, yesterday.
Speaking on the theme, “Non-communicable diseases: lifestyle and health,” Mr. Yieleh Chireh revealed that life-style diseases were now the leading causes of deaths worldwide, killing approximately 36 million people, annually.
By 2030, NCDs are the anticipated to cause 75 per cent of global deaths and as such the Minister, urged the physicians and surgeons to deliberate on the theme and devise strategies to control them, and advise government on the menace.
In a speech delivered on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Professor William Otoo Ellis stated that implementing cost-effective interventions, to reduce the risk of NCDs, would decrease premature mortality by two thirds.
Given the implications of individual and collective lifestyles, he urged the government to implement public health interventions to reduce the levels of obesity, alcoholism and inactivity in the country.
Prof. Ellis said it was important that regular health checks were performed, to determine people’s wellbeing, before diseases such as stroke occurred.
“Ghana is noted for devising excellent policies for combating many issues, including those of health. It is about time that such excellent policies were translated into action and implemented,” he added.
Professor Dr. G.W. Brobby, president of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, said that for quality health care to be achieved, current advances in medicine must be made simple for the understanding of the people.
He reiterated that simplified tests and treatments should be made available to the people.
The president urged members of the college to endeavour to win the confidence of their patients, by being trustworthy, charitable, responsive and sensitive to their needs.
Professor Brobby advised them not to adopt shortcuts when dealing with patients and “cultivate the habit of self-learning, which should be a lifelong process of your medical education.”
The Rector of the college, Professor David Ofori-Adjei, said training of doctors and specialists was an integral part of the health care system.
The college admitted 101 medical practitioners as members and presented them with certificates in their various disciplines.
According to the Minister of Health, Mr. Joseph Yieleh Chireh, the issue of NCDs has become so broad, that it can no longer be addressed by any single government ministry.
“Effective NCD prevention and control requires leadership and ‘total government’ action at all levels (national, sub-national and local) and across sectors, such as health, education, energy, agriculture, sports, transport, and urban planning” he added.
He stated this at the 8th Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra, yesterday.
Speaking on the theme, “Non-communicable diseases: lifestyle and health,” Mr. Yieleh Chireh revealed that life-style diseases were now the leading causes of deaths worldwide, killing approximately 36 million people, annually.
By 2030, NCDs are the anticipated to cause 75 per cent of global deaths and as such the Minister, urged the physicians and surgeons to deliberate on the theme and devise strategies to control them, and advise government on the menace.
In a speech delivered on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Professor William Otoo Ellis stated that implementing cost-effective interventions, to reduce the risk of NCDs, would decrease premature mortality by two thirds.
Given the implications of individual and collective lifestyles, he urged the government to implement public health interventions to reduce the levels of obesity, alcoholism and inactivity in the country.
Prof. Ellis said it was important that regular health checks were performed, to determine people’s wellbeing, before diseases such as stroke occurred.
“Ghana is noted for devising excellent policies for combating many issues, including those of health. It is about time that such excellent policies were translated into action and implemented,” he added.
Professor Dr. G.W. Brobby, president of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, said that for quality health care to be achieved, current advances in medicine must be made simple for the understanding of the people.
He reiterated that simplified tests and treatments should be made available to the people.
The president urged members of the college to endeavour to win the confidence of their patients, by being trustworthy, charitable, responsive and sensitive to their needs.
Professor Brobby advised them not to adopt shortcuts when dealing with patients and “cultivate the habit of self-learning, which should be a lifelong process of your medical education.”
The Rector of the college, Professor David Ofori-Adjei, said training of doctors and specialists was an integral part of the health care system.
The college admitted 101 medical practitioners as members and presented them with certificates in their various disciplines.
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