According to him, diabetes was among the four top chronic diseases and was fast gaining grounds in the Region, especially among young people.

[contextly_sidebar id=”u8hel8CNTEfDYROzTsMGg39M895zO8QZ”]Mr Braimah said this during a health talk which brought together health professionals, bankers, security personnel and students from the Bolgatanga Nurses and Midwifery Training Colleges.

The participants had earlier danced to brass band music through the principal streets of Bolgatanga carrying placards, some of which read “diabetes is a killer”, “check for your status”, “more exercise and good diet”; as part of activities to mark this year’s World Diabetes Day celebration.

The month-long celebration which is being held under the theme; “Preventing and managing diabetes, the role of diet and lifestyle,” comes with activities such as radio discussions on “effective diabetes management,” health talk in churches, mosques, corporate and educational institutions as well as screening for diabetes.

Mr Braimah said diet played important role in controlling diabetes adding “you cannot manage your diabetes well without a good diet. If we watch our eating habits well; quit smoking, reduce or quit alcohol intake, we can prevent Type Two diabetes”, he said.

He said even though there were signs and symptoms of diabetes “you cannot be sure whether you have Type 1 or 2 diabetes until you check. It is a very easy and affordable test, let’s encourage everyone to check,” he said.

Dr Bertha Gibil, a Medical Officer at the Hospital, said there were three types of diabetes including, Type 1, 2 and gestational diabetes.

She said Type 1 diabetes was genetic and usually detected during childhood as the pancreas most likely does not produce insulin and in that case nothing could be done about it.

Dr Gibil said the emphasis was on the Type 2 form of diabetes which is preventable and not insulin dependent, as insulin was produced but the body does not recognize it, or it was too little to be recognized.

She said with the gestational and Type 1 forms of diabetes, nothing could be done about them, “the only thing about the gestational one is that if you get it in pregnancy, the likelihood that you will get the Type 2 along the line is very high.”

She said diabetic patients usually lose weight, frequently get thirsty, drink more water and urinate very frequently with ants often patronizing their urine.

She impressed on the general public to exercise regularly avoid eating late at night, eat three or four hours before going to bed.

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Source: GNA

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“As in other areas of our national life, the attitude of our medical personnel especially nurses and those who handle people in their most vulnerable conditions must improve markedly,” he said.

Prof Adei made these remarks in his presentation at the climax of Christian Health Association of Ghana’s (CHAG’s) golden jubilee celebration at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Millennium City at Kasoa in the Central Region.

The year-long celebration was held on the theme: “50 Year of Christian Health Services; Lessons and Pointers for the next 50 Years”.

Prof Adei said: “Granted that oftentimes our nurses and para-medics, not to mention our doctors are overworked especially in the public sector. But that notwithstanding, it is unacceptable that when one cannot afford the services of ‘private nurses’, who are the same public sector nurses off duty, a seriously sick person is likely to die for lack of the needed attention.”

“You may be in intensive care and receive first class medical services from specialists, but may die out of bedsore for lack of nursing care,” he added.

Speaking on the topic “Exploring Innovations for Sustainable Health Services in Ghana”, Prof Adei also said the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHlS) must be made to work.

“The only hope for accessing quality medical care for the ordinary Ghanaian is the NHlS and we must make sure that it works,” he said.

He said the practice in the past of Value Added Tax (VAT) and Social Security National Insurance Trust (SSNlT) contributions dedicated to National Health insurance being diverted to other use must stop adding that the money must automatically go to the Authority.

“Never again should Ghanaians allow what happened in the recent past where the (VHS was nearly destroyed for lack of transfer of taxes dedicated to the health needs of Ghanaian and used for other purposes and/or wasted through corruption and inefficiencies,” Prof Adei said.

He said not only CHAG but the whole medical system in Ghana risked collapse otherwise.

“We must congratulate the government for trying to clear the backlog of arrears and to keep payments current thereafter,” he said.

“In that regard all corrupt actions be it at level of the Authority, health providers some inflating numbers and prices should be dealt with surgically,” he said.

“Obiara didi ne dwuma hu” syndrome so pervasive in the public service of Ghana should be tackled with all urgency required as one’s salary is what one is entitled to- for the work done.”

On CHAG’s contributions to the nation’s healthcare delivery system, Prof Adei said: “I want to thank you on behalf of the many millions of Ghanaians who have been the beneficiaries of the work of the services of members of CHAG over the years.

“Even as a child in my ’holy’ village of Hwiremoase, I knew of Battor when it came to optical services and Agogo for general medical care long before I knew where in the country the towns were located because of the reputation of the medical services offered by Christian medical personnel at these centres.”

Mr Peter K. Yeboah, the Executive Director of CHAG, said the institution was dedicated to saving lives and livelihoods and promoting health and healing to millions of people.

He said it has become obligatory to celebrate achievements, recognize challenges and renew vows with joy and introspection.

He said CHAG was located in all the 10 Regions of Ghana, and in about 188 Districts and Municipalities of Ghana.

“In not too distant future, we will be in each District; hence One District, One CHAG Hospital shall become a reality,” he said.

“We are committed to providing holistic health services to the human person irrespective of socio-economic circumstances. Our Mission mainly is to promote Jesus Christ’s healing ministry,” he said.

Mr Yeboah said CHAG fulfils this core mandate by providing holistic health care to all manner of people irrespective of socio-economic circumstances.

Mr Agyemang-Manu, the Minister of Health, represented President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the event.

CHAG is a Network organisation of 302 health facilities and health training institutions owned by 25 different Christian Church Denominations.

CHAG provides health care to the most vulnerable and underprivileged population groups in all 10 Regions of Ghana, particularly in the most remote areas.

–

Source: GNA

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The Roads Ministry has received lots of criticism for failing to effectively maintain roads in the country, with residents of several towns across the country, demonstrating to express their displeasure.

Some concerns have been raised regarding the quality of materials used by contractors employed to fix the roads.

However, according to the Deputy sector Minister, Isaac Agyei Mensah, the right materials are being used for the maintenance of the roads.

“We don’t use bitumen in concrete [to maintain the roads]. We have asphalt and asphalt fits very well with our appropriate application of chemicals, into what is in here,” he said.

Mensah blamed the complaints from people on their limited knowledge of normal procedure saying, ” if people say it is bitumen, I don’t think that they are aware of the technicalities and the mechanisms in [road maintenance].”

The recent heavy rains have exposed several shortcomings in the maintenance works, intensifying the criticisms, but Mr. Agyei Mensah has insisted that the “appropriate and requisite materials were being used in the process.”

The Deputy Minister had earlier assured the public that “maintenance will be the government’s focus” and that the state of the country’s roads will improve greatly once the rains stop.

He told Citi News that plans were in place to intensify road maintenance works once the country was out of the rainy season.

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Ministry has been critcized for the deplorable state of some major roads in the country.

In July, residents of Manhean in the Ga West Municipality, demonstrated against the poor state of the roads in the area.

The problem has been exacerbated by the recent heavy rains across the country, which have exposed the poor construction of the roads.

However, the deputy sector minister, Isaac Agyei Mensah, told Citi News that the “appropriate steps are being taken” to maintain the roads once the rains stop.

“Maintenance is going to be key and that is the focus of the ministry now,” he said.

“As soon as the roads die down, we will quickly get into action and make sure that steps are taken to maintain all the roads.”

The ministry announced that it generated an amount of Gh¢49.06 million from 35 toll stations last year and had, as at the end of June 2014, collectecd Gh¢ 27.8 million at 38 stations, including the Ada and Senchi Ferry stations.

He added that the road funds were going to be used for the maintenance work.

Mr. Agyei Mensah had, in June, stated that work was ongoing on the maintenance of roads across the country and insists that once work continues after the rains, there will be a “dramatic improvement on the roads” adding that he hoped that there will be “reasonable satisfaction by the people.”

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Roads will improve after rainy season – Roads Ministry appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.