Dignitaries and participants in a group picture after the outreach programme on NCDs at Abodom, a town within the Bekwai Municipality
The Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Elizabeth Agyemang is advocating for people living with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) to be put on the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program.
This, she believes will provide better support for victims of NCDs as well as ensure they have access to better care at the hospital.
Mrs Agyemang noted that LEAP provides cash and health insurance to the extremely poor households across the country, adding that the aim of the program is to alleviate short-term poverty and encourage human capital development.
Addressing chiefs and people of Abodom, a town within the Bekwai Municipality during an outreach program by the Ghana NCD Alliance and Breast Care International (BCI) last week, the Deputy Minister said NCDs such as Diabetes, Sickle Cell, Mental Disorders, Cardiovascular disease and others demand intensive care for its patients.
‘’ I believe the time has come for us to advocate for the placement of persons suffering with NCDs under the LEAP program being administered by the Gender Ministry so that patients or victims could access care as well as support at the hospital free of charge’’, Mrs Agyemang stressed.
Madam Elizabeth Agyemang, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister addressing participants and stakeholders at the NCD awareness forum at Abodom
ADMONITION:
Speaking to the media after addressing the gathering, Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, President of BCI called for the vigorous tackling of NCDs among the public.
She rallied all stakeholders to commit to dealing with the threat of NCDs head on since it is now the most reported disease or illness at the hospitals.
Dr Wiafe Addai therefore commended the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister for advocating for the placement of NCDs under the LEAP program and urged her to ensure it is carried out by government to provide a cushion for the elderly to access care and support for their ailments.
The BCI leader advised against the consumption of oily foods as well as tobacco and alcohol. She also asked that people undertake regular medical check-ups at the hospital to know their statuses so as to be able to deal with any hidden disease on time.
‘’We have to deal with NCDs seriously and as individuals we have to check the foods we eat and how we live our lives because the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, oily meat and fatty foods is harmful to us’’, Dr Addai firmly noted.
COORDINATOR ON NCDs:
Mr Labram Massawudu Musah, National Coordinator, Ghana NCD Alliance said the outreach at Abodom was to raise awareness about non-communicable diseases and the need to deal with it decisively.
He noted NCDs is becoming the leading cause of death in the Ghana, adding that the world is also suffering from its brunt as NCDs are reported to be causing the death of about 40million people annually.
These startling statistics, Mr Massawudu noted calls for a renewed and vigorous approach to tackling same to ensure the Ghanaian public are educated enough to live healthy lifestyles.
What do you think about this piece? Share your comment in the comment thread and share the story using the social media buttons above. You may reach the editor on 0249579664. Thank you.
