Category: Medical

The Central Regional Referral Hospital (Trauma and Specialist Hospital, Winneba), recorded 21 deliveries during Easter. Ms Louisa Larson, a Midwife on duty at the maternity ward of the hospital, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA), that three males and one female were delivered on Thursday March 28, six males and two females on Good Friday, two males and five females on Holy Saturday and on Easter, two females were also delivered. According to her out of the total delivery of 21 recorded, 18 of the babies were delivered through caesarian session, made up of 11 females and seven males, while three males were normal deliveries. She stated that the mothers and their babies who went through normal deliveries had since been discharged while the 18 babies and the mothers are still on admission. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Volta Regional Health Directorate has honoured hard working individuals and institutions that distinguished themselves last year, at its 2023 Regional Annual Performance Review conference. Ten deserving individuals and four institutions that exemplified themselves received items and citations under the Ghana Health Service Excellence Awards Scheme. Afadzato South District adjudged best performing District; South Tongu District Hospital, Sogakope won the best performing primary level Hospital; Gbi Wegbe Health Centre, Hohoe Municipal, was the best performing Health Centre while Kpomkpo CHPS Compound won the best performing CHPS Compound. Recognition for the individual category was Dr Iris Adjah for the the Leadership Excellence Awards primary-level Hospital/Polyclinic. Other leadership excellence awards went to Mr George Winlove Nyasembi, Health Centre; Ms Belinda Tuaa, CHPS compound; Mr Matthew Ayangba, District Health Directorate. The Most Outstanding Staff for Regional Health Directorate went to Mr Ignatius Aklikpe; Mr Jerome Kwaku Enyonam took that of Secondary-level Hospital with Mr Francis K. Agbenorlawodugah taking that of District Health Directorate. Other winners included Ms Monica Akosua Manti for primary-level hospital/Polyclinic; Mr Osei Boateng Ibrahim for Health Centres and Ms Joyce Abena Prah for CHPS compound. Dr Chrysantus Kubio, Volta Regional Director of Health said staff motivation remained paramount priority of management and would continue those tangent and congratulated winners for sterling performance. He said the Region has many accomplishments to showcase in the year under review and was optimistic the awardees at the regional level would show visibility and emerge victorious at the national contest. The Regional Director indicated that South Tongu Hospital, Sogakope, and the Volta Regional Hospital, Hohoe had emerged as the best primary-level hospital and second best ranked amongst its peers at the maiden national GHS Excellence Awards in 2022 and heightening the stakes for t he region. The two-day conference in Ho, was under the theme, 'Strengthening the Primary Healthcare System for Improved Access to Quality Health Service Delivery: The Role of Networks of Practice (NoPs).' Dr Kubio said it sought to consolidate and build on the benefits of strengthened stakeholder engagement and involvement in the implementation of primary health policies. He noted that the NoPs were initially piloted in South Dayi, South Tongu and later Afadzato South and Hohoe Municipal with the overall goal to increase access and to quality essential healthcare for all by 2030. He said there was significant augmentation of staff capacity and encouraged collaboration among facilities at Afadzato South and Hohoe through improved technical and operational support. Dr Kubio encouraged members of staff to redouble efforts at customer satisfaction as their mandate required of them in the face of challenging working conditions. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Advocating for Health (A4H) Project, a coalition of public health experts, has embarked on consultative process on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) tax implementation in Ghana. It was on the theme: 'Taxes Build Nations: Evidence-informed Health Taxes Save Lives.' It was aimed at bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the science behind food-related health tax policies and the current state of implementation of Ghana's Excise Duty Amendment Act 2023 (Act 1093/1108). It was also to review international and the local evidence on the effectiveness of SSB taxes in reducing sugar consumption and improving public health, discuss challenges, opportunities, and strategies for the effective implementation of the policy in Ghana. The Coalition comprised of University of Ghana Public Health School, Ghana Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, Ghana Public Health Association, Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and civil society organisations. Professor Kingsley K. Pereko, President of the Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and facilitator of the workshop in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said processes for the review were initiated to look at the current state of implementing the policy in Ghana, logistical, technical, ethical, and strategic considerations. He said the consumption of SSB has soared over the few decades, contributing significantly to the obesity epidemic, and linked to an increased risk of chronic conditions such as type two diabetes, heart diseases and dental problems. Prof Pereko said taxing these beverages was also seen to reduce consumption, especially among high-risk groups such as children and low-income individuals. He said the challenges persist, the evidence suggest that thoughtfully designed and implemented taxations can drive positive change in consumer behaviour, improve public health outcome and provides a sustainable source of revenue for health initiatives. Dr Alex Kombat, Assistant Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority who spoke on the SSB tax said i t was the responsibility of Government to protect its citizenry against any health risks associated with consumption of harmful products. 'One means of doing this is through imposition of health taxes on products that have negative public health impact, especially alcoholic beverages and SSBs,' he said. He stated that the implementation of the SSB tax as amended and backed by Excise Duty Amendment Act 2023 (Act 1108), started on April 15, 2023, and mentioned some of the challenges as low nationwide sensitization and food and beverages producers showing resistance to the tax. Dr Kombat said the implementation of the SSB tax required total collaboration of all relevant stakeholders to ensure its effectiveness. Mrs Irene Sam, a participant from the National Council of Parent Teachers Association told the GNA that; 'We are really at the epidemic situation of too much consumption of SSB products.' She said education on nutrition was key to solving SSB and called on the PTAs to ensure collaboration so that the schools can have a policy. Mr Abayomi Sarumi, Senior Programme Manager of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa from Nigeria, also told the GNA instituting taxes to control consumption of sugar sweetened beverages was an effective way to reduce the consumption of harmful, unhealth and non-nutrition drinks and other foods. 'It's also important to draw attention of the public to the dangers but more importantly to garner their support for government's efforts to combat diseases through this means,' he said. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Eastern Regional Health Directorate has organised a street float in Koforidua to create awareness on maternal mental health. Maternal mental health can be referred to as a mother's overall emotional, social, and mental well-being, both during and after pregnancy. Dr Wilfred K. Ofosu, Eastern Regional Health Director, said the mental well-being of mothers directly impacts the health and development of children, the strength of families, and the stability of communities. Yet, despite its significance, maternal mental health remains stigmatised, underreported, and inadequately addressed. He said factors that can create mental challenges for mothers are hormonal changes, financial stress, societal pressures, and the responsibility of caring for a new life. 'As healthcare professionals, the time has come to make a bold commitment to integrating maternal mental health into routine health delivery,' he said. 'Our actions today have the power to transform the lives of countless mothers and children for gene rations to come.' However, he urged, 'Let us not forget the importance of self-care and support for our own healthcare professionals. The work we do is emotionally demanding, and we must prioritise our own mental well-being to be effective advocates and carers for others.' The director highlighted key measures to address maternal mental health challenges. These measures emphasise the importance of equipping frontline providers with the necessary training and tools to identify signs of maternal mental health disorders and provide compassionate and effective interventions. The Ministry of Health should actively engage with policymakers, community leaders, and other stakeholders to promote policies and programmes that prioritise maternal mental health. Dr Ofosu said the policy should encompass various provisions such as affordable healthcare, insurance coverage, childcare support, and specialised mental health services for mothers. In her address, Nana Ama Awi II, Queen Mother of Asokore and the Benkum Div ision of the New Juaben Traditional Area, said that raising awareness, eradicating stigma, and fostering a culture of empathy and understanding could create a world where every mother feels seen, heard, and valued. The street float started from the premises of the Ghana Health Service through the principal streets of the New Juaben South Municipality to Jubilee Park. Some inscriptions on the placards said maternal mental health disorders are a challenge in Ghana; husbands, support your wives during pregnancy and childcare; implement policies aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination surrounding maternal mental health; and the rest. Source: Ghana News Agency

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID and Total Family Health Organisation (TFHO), a Ghanaian social marketing organisation, have launched two new healthcare products to support adolescents, women, and children in Ghana. The products include Secure Sanitary Pads and ORAplus, an oral rehydration solution containing salts, sugar, and zinc, for children suffering from diarrhoea and dehydration. The Secure Sanitary Pads are ultra-thin, and long, have wings for fitting, and have high absorbency, 12 pads per pack and are sold in packs of two while a pack of ORAplus contains two sachets of ORS for reconstitution in 500ml, has three flavours, and 10 scored tablets of zinc. Dr Zohra Balsara, USAID/Ghana Health Office Director, speaking at the launch and the closeout of the USAID and TFHO Health Marketing Activity, was optimistic that the products would provide affordable solutions for basic health and hygiene needs as part of USAID's commitment to empowering people to make healthy life decis ions. 'The private sector has a huge role to play in supporting Ghanaians' health. We are excited to see these high-quality, low-cost items enter the market and be available to Ghanaians,' she added In Ghana, diarrhoea illness is the fourth primary cause of death among young children. ORAplus is a co-package of oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc, which provides optimum treatment for children suffering from diarrhoea and dehydration. Mr Joseph Addo-Yobo, the Executive Director of TFHO, said that was the first time in Ghana that the two products were packaged together, in line with global health evidence-based best practices and locally manufactured for TFHO by Phyto-Riker Pharmaceutical Ltd. He explained that affordable menstrual hygiene supplies were critical for adolescent girls' and women's health and empowerment. 'Secure Sanitary Pad is a high-quality, comfortable, absorbent, locally manufactured menstrual pad targeted at adolescent girls and young women. The Secure pads will provide girls in scho ols an affordable menstrual hygiene solution to ensure they do not miss days in school and working women do not miss days of work,' the Executive Director emphasised. Mr Addo-Yobo said the products were built on TFHO's existing socially marketed suite of products in Ghana, including the Sato Pan, the Secure contraceptive pill, and the highly popular Ebony condoms. Since October 2022, over 7.5 million Ebony condoms have been sold and distributed to date. TFHO's partnerships have expanded to target specific populations in need, including a partnership to bring family planning services to fishing communities, among whom teenage pregnancies are especially high, in the Western, Central, Greater Accra, and Volta regions. He said the TFHO was one of the first Ghanaian organisations to receive direct funding from the United States Government. TFHO's first USAID-supported activity started in 2020, with a focus on social marketing and improving health services. Dr Claudette A. Diogo, the National Family Planning and Logistic Manager/ Pharmacist Ghana Health Service, expressed excitement about the collaboration with TFHO and other partners. She said the event marked a pivotal moment as the Ghana Health Marketing Activity closed out and welcomed a new project from USAID. Dr Diogo said, 'We are proud of the successes the TFHO has chalked, and we are hopeful that with the lessons learnt, they would do better in the new project.' The National Family Planning and Logistic Manager/ Pharmacist said that the launch of the new products was an assurance that adolescents and children were not left behind, saying 'this is a holistic approach, and no one is left behind rather access to general healthcare is established'. The United States is Ghana's largest bilateral development donor. In 2023, USAID's bilateral development assistance totaling over $140 million was dedicated to supporting health, economic growth, agriculture, education, governance, and security in Ghana. Source: Ghana News Agency