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Non-Communicable Diseases leading cause of deaths in Eastern Region
By Michael Kofi Kenetey
The Medical Director of the Eastern Regional Hospital, Koforidua, ERHK, Dr. Arko Akoto Ampaw, says non-communicable diseases continue to lead the cause of deaths at the facility.
He has therefore advised Ghanaians to live a healthy lifestyle to help reduce the high rate of non-communicable diseases, which is claiming many lives in the country. Dr. Ampaw gave the advice during the 2024 Annual Performance Review Meeting in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital.
The hospital last year received 298,272 attendances in the outpatient department, with 255,332 representing 86 percent being insured and 42,941 representing 14 percent being non-insured.
The facility inpatient also recorded 23,805 admissions, 23,390 were discharged, and 2,016 deaths were recorded. The bed occupancy rate of the hospital stands at 93.3 percent while the death rate stands at 7.9 percent.
On the breakdown of the causes of death, non-communicable diseases such as cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke claimed 180 lives, heart failure claimed one hundred and two lives, one hundred people succumbed to prematurity, renal disease claimed 96, and neoplasm claimed 95 lives.
In an interview with GBC News, the Medical Director of the Eastern Regional Hospital, Koforidua, Dr. Arko Akoto Ampaw, hinted that most of the non-communicable diseases leading as the most common causes of death are as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle.
He therefore advised Ghanaians to lead a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy food, regular health screening, and exercise.
Dr. Ampaw noted that the management and staff of the hospital have embarked on measures to help prevent avoidable deaths in obstetrics through coaching and mentoring.
The Clinical Director of the Eastern Regional Hospital, Koforidua, Dr. Amponsah Manu, has encouraged the media to collaborate effectively with the hospital and urged media practitioners to seek clarification from the hospital when they receive any complaint about the hospital.
The 2024 Annual Performance Review Meeting of the Eastern Regional Hospital, Koforidua, brought together management and Heads of Departments of the hospital to discuss and update the media on the performance of the facility in the year under review.
<p>The post Non-Communicable Diseases leading cause of deaths in Eastern Region first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.</p>
Second chance at life: Tamale Teaching Hospital successfully implants pacemakers in 9 patients
By Joyce Kantam Kolamong
In a medical display of compassion, the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) has successfully implanted pacemakers in 9 patients, giving them a second chance at life. The procedure, which was made possible through a collaboration with Mount Carmel Hospital in the United States, is a significant milestone in the hospital’s efforts to provide quality healthcare to its patients.
The pacemaker implantation procedure involves inserting a small device called a pacemaker into the body to help regulate the heartbeat. The device consists of two main parts: a pulse generator and leads. The pulse generator contains the battery and electronic circuitry, while the leads connect the pulse generator to the heart.
The pacemaker implantation procedure typically takes about 1-2 hours, and it costs more than 5000 US dollars
Speaking to GBCNEWS on the last day of the exercise, a Cardiologist at TTH, Dr. Abdul Subul Yakubu, who led the team, said the patients who underwent the procedure were suffering from a condition known as complete heart block, which causes the heart to beat at a slow rate. “These patients would have otherwise been unable to afford the device on their own,” Dr. Yakubu explained. “Thanks to our cooperation with Dr. Addo and his team from Mount Carmel Hospital, we were able to supply the pacemakers to them for free.”
Dr. Yakubu emphasized the importance of the procedure, noting that the patients who underwent the implantation would have otherwise been at risk of serious complications, including death. “These patients would have otherwise been unable to afford the device on their own,” he said. “We have given them a fresh start, an opportunity that they would otherwise not have had.”
The procedure was made possible through a team effort involving local staff and experts from the United States. Dr. Yakubu expressed his gratitude to the team, including Dr. Addo and his team from Mount Carmel Hospital, for their support and expertise.
According to Dr. Yakubu, while pacemaker implantation is a life-saving procedure, patients can still develop complications after the device has been implanted. He emphasized that managing these potential complications is critical to ensuring the patient’s long-term health and well-being.
“To minimize the risk of complications, patients receive specific instructions after pacemaker implantation. These instructions are provided in printed format”.
Pacemakers are designed to provide long-term support for individuals with irregular heartbeats. The device’s longevity depends on various factors, including usage and individual factors. On average, a pacemaker can last for at least 10 years. However, the actual lifespan may vary depending on how frequently the device is used.
Lifelong Dependence
Dr. Yakubu indicated that Individuals with pacemakers will require the device for the rest of their lives adding that regular check-ups and monitoring ensure the device functions optimally and identify potential issues before they become major concerns.
When asked about the sustainability of the programme, Dr. Yakubu noted that while the procedure was sponsored, the hospital aims to make the treatment modality accessible to its patients in the long run. “A lot of investment has to go into it, into training local staff and infrastructure,” he said.
This year’s exercise marked a significant improvement from the previous year, with 9 successful implants, up from 3 in 2023, and the hospital aims to continue increasing its capacity to help more patients in need
The successful implantation of pacemakers in 9 patients is a significant achievement for TTH, and a testament to the hospital’s commitment to providing quality healthcare to its patients. As Dr. Yakubu noted, “We have given them a second chance at life.”
<p>The post Second chance at life: Tamale Teaching Hospital successfully implants pacemakers in 9 patients first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.</p>
Men with higher quality sperm may have longer lifespan, new study finds
Men with better sperm quality may live longer lives, according to a new study.
Researchers analysed data from nearly 80,000 Danish men with a follow-up of up to 50 years.
The men had had their semen quality assessed in the laboratory due to couple infertility.
The analysis looked at semen volume, sperm concentration, and the proportion of motile sperm – meaning sperm that moved efficiently – and had a normal shape.
Those with a higher number of motile sperm had a life expectancy that was two to three years longer than men with the lowest number of motile sperm, according to the findings published in the journal Human Reproduction.
“In absolute terms, men with a total motile count of more than 120 million lived 2.7 years longer than men with a total motile count of between zero and five million,” Dr Lærke Priskorn, a senior researcher at Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark and the study’s lead author, said in a statement.
“The lower the semen quality, the lower the life expectancy. This association was not explained by any diseases in the ten years before semen quality assessment or the men’s educational level,” she added.
A potential health indicator for men
One hypothesis to explain the link is that semen quality could work as an indicator of men’s overall health.
Previous research cited by the team found that men with a lower sperm concentration were also hospitalised seven years earlier on average, “underlining that men with impaired semen quality as a group not only can expect to die earlier but also to live fewer healthy years”.
“The current findings corroborate and add to the limited albeit growing body of research showing that semen quality is an important marker of current health and likely predictive of future health across the lifespan,” Dr Germaine Buck Louis, dean of the College of Health at George Mason University in the US, told Euronews Health in an email.
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The typical vital signs measuring the body’s basic functions are temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.
“Greater clinical awareness is evolving and has prompted some authors to call for semen quality being considered the 6th vital sign,” the expert, who was not involved in the study, added.
The study does not identify the underlying causes of the difference in life expectancy, but Louis said that “environmental exposures may be responsible, possibly through oxidative stress pathways, as they affect both reproductive health and health, more globally”.
“Without knowing the exact causes of the infertility and the cell functions affected, it is difficult to develop medical interventions or new drugs to treat the problem(s),” Dolores Lamb, co-director of the research learning centre at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, a hospital in the US, told Euronews Health.
“The common link between infertility and the increased health risks of men with infertility is currently under active research investigation,” Lamb added.
<p>The post Men with higher quality sperm may have longer lifespan, new study finds first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.</p>
Many pregnancy-related complications going undetected and untreated – WHO
By: Henrietta Afful
A new study released by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that haemorrhage (severe bleeding) and hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia are the leading causes of maternal deaths worldwide. In 2020, these conditions were responsible for approximately 80,000 and 50,000 fatalities, respectively.
According to the findings, many women still lack access to essential lifesaving treatments and effective care during and after pregnancy and childbirth.
Published in The Lancet Global Health, the study marks WHO’s first global update on the causes of maternal deaths since the adoption of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in 2015.
In addition to highlighting the main direct obstetric causes, the study reveals that other health conditions, including infectious and chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, anaemia, and diabetes, contribute to nearly a quarter (23%) of pregnancy- and childbirth-related deaths.
These conditions, frequently undiagnosed or left untreated until complications become severe, heighten risks and complicate pregnancies for millions of women globally.
“Understanding why pregnant women and mothers are dying is critical for tackling the world’s lingering maternal mortality crisis and ensuring women have the best possible chances of surviving childbirth,” the Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO as well as the UN’s Special Programme on Human Reproduction (HRP), Dr Pascale Allotey said.
“This is also a massive equity issue globally – women everywhere need high quality, evidence-based health care before, during and after delivery, as well as efforts to prevent and treat other underlying conditions that jeopardize their health” she added.
Other direct causes include sepsis and infections; pulmonary embolism; complications from spontaneous and induced abortions – including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancies, and issues relating to unsafe abortions; and, anesthetic complications and injuries that occur during childbirth.
<p>The post Many pregnancy-related complications going undetected and untreated – WHO first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.</p>
Early Detection: The Lifeline Against Kidney Disease
By: Joyce Kantam Kolamong
As the world marks World Kidney Day today, Ghana joins in emphasizing the critical role of early detection in preventing kidney disease progression. Kidney disease is a stealthy threat, often silent until its advanced stages, making timely detection vital for effective treatment and management.
Our Northern regional correspondent, Joyce Kantam Kolamong, shares the inspiring story of a man who dodged the bullet of chronic kidney disease thanks to early detection. This heartening account underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive healthcare
REPORT
Meet Francis Alhassan ( not his real first name), a 41-year-old teacher from Pong-Tamale in the Savelugu Municipality of the Northern Region. Francis teaches at one of the public basic schools at Pong Tamale. The father of two, was diagnosed with kidney disease a year ago. A blow that left him devastated, disoriented and mentally sick until he took his health into His own hands. His unfolding story highlights the importance of early detection and the consequences of delayed diagnosis.
“I was feeling tired all the time, and my ankles were always swollen,” Mr Alhassan recalls. “I brushed it off as stress and fatigue, but deep down, I knew something was wrong.”
His symptoms persisted, and he eventually visited his primary care physician at Savelugu government hospital, who ordered a series of tests, including a blood test to check his kidney function. The results revealed that Francis kidneys were functioning at only 30% capacity. He was immediately referred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital for further checks where he was put on routine checks and medication.
“I was shocked and scared,” he admits. “I had no idea that my kidneys were failing. If I had waited any longer, I might have needed dialysis or even a kidney transplant.”
Francis’s diagnosis was a wake-up call. He began working closely with his healthcare team to manage his kidney disease. He made lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing his stress levels.
“Early detection saved my life,” he emphasizes. “If I had waited, my kidneys might have failed completely. Now, I am able to manage my condition, and I am grateful for every day I have.”
Francis’s story underscores the importance of early detection in preventing kidney disease progression. Kidney disease is a growing concern worldwide, often masquerading as a harmless condition until it is too late. The absence of noticeable symptoms in the early stages makes it crucial to be proactive about our health.
The Tamale Teaching Hospital has reported a significant increase in cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The facility is seeing at least five to seven new cases of end-stage renal disease every week. Hypertension and diabetes are the leading causes of CKD.
As of 2023, there were 120 patients on dialysis, and over 300 people were diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
In 2024, the numbers were even more concerning. From January to July, more than 150 people were on dialysis, and over 350 people were diagnosed with CKD. It is worth noting that these numbers might not reflect the actual severity of the situation, as some patients might not have been able to access the hospital due to financial constraints.
The hospital also reported that there were 171 new cases of kidney disease in 2024, and sadly, 147 deaths, which included both new and existing patients. Chronic Kidney Disease was 5th in the top ten causes of death at the hospital last year. Most striking is the fact that 11 patients were children between one and 17 years of old who had been living with kidney disease requiring dialysis.
Medical Officer at the hospital’s renal unit, Dr. Umar Aliu, emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment. He notes that many patients are presenting with advanced stages of the disease, making treatment more challenging.
Dr. Aliu says the earliest symptoms of kidney disease include decrease in urine production, puffiness of the face, swelling of the feet, frequent urination at night and other non specific symptoms including recurrent headaches and easy fatigue. The hospital is urging the public to prioritize regular medical checkups and to seek medical attention immediately if symptoms persist
“The truth is, most of the time, you may not even have any symptoms to begin with. The time you’re going to show symptoms is the time that the damage has already been done. You don’t have to even wait before you have headaches because some of them, if not labs that we will do to detect, you may even sit in front of me, and I will not even be able to tell that you have a kidney problem” Dr. Aliu warns.
To combat this, Dr. Aliu recommends frequent medical checkups, “ideally every three to six months, don’t wait, just go to the hospital. If there’s any issue, we will pick it up as soon as possible.”
Dr. Aliu also stresses the importance of hydration, especially in hot weather, to help prevent kidney disease.
The rise in CKD cases is not limited to the elderly, as the hospital is also seeing an increasing number of younger patients diagnosed with the disease.
These statistics highlight the urgent need for awareness, education, and access to healthcare to combat kidney disease in Ghana.
The National Kidney Foundation recommends that individuals at high risk for kidney disease, such as those with diabetes, hypertension, or family history of kidney disease, undergo regular check-ups and screenings.
As we observe World Kidney Day today, let Francis’s story serve as a reminder of the importance of early detection in preventing kidney disease progression. Don’t wait until it is too late – take control of your health today.
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<p>The post Early Detection: The Lifeline Against Kidney Disease first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.</p>
Ghana launches 2025 World Glaucoma Week to tackle vision loss
The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Glaucoma Patient Association of Ghana, has launched the 2025 World Glaucoma Week.
As an effort to prevent vision loss, the global initiative aims to raise awareness about glaucoma and encourage regular eye and optic nerve check-ups.
The year’s theme is dubbed United for “Glaucoma Free World” which seeks to unite communities in the fight against glaucoma blindness.
The Acting Director for Technical Coordination, Dr. Hafez Adam, has emphasised that the Ministry is committed to promoting eye health in the country.
He also stressed that the initiative is to create awareness and alert everyone to have regular eye and optic nerve checks to discover glaucoma as early as possible and prevent visual loss.
In his address, Dr. Hafez outlined the Ministry’s efforts to combat glaucoma. He noted, “the Ministry is expanding access to eye care services, especially at primary healthcare levels, by equipping health facilities with the necessary diagnostic tools and trained personnel.”
World Glaucoma Week is a global initiative by the World Glaucoma Association and World Glaucoma Patients Association of Ghana.
<p>The post Ghana launches 2025 World Glaucoma Week to tackle vision loss first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.</p>
Government launches Mahama Cares to support treatment of chronic diseases
The government has launched the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, widely known as Mahama Cares, to provide financial support for people suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer, kidney failure, and heart conditions.
The initiative, introduced by President John Dramani Mahama, is expected to ease the financial burden of treatment and improve access to healthcare for affected individuals.
Speaking at the launch in Accra on March 12, 2025, Dr Koku Awoonor, who represented the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, described Mahama Cares as a relief for many families struggling to afford medical care.
“Non-communicable diseases put a heavy strain on families both psychologically and financially. Today’s event signals a new approach to making treatment more accessible,” he said.
Minister for Health Kwabena Minta Akando said the initiative was long overdue, citing World Health Organization (WHO) data that shows non-communicable diseases account for 42% of all deaths in Ghana.
“Cardiovascular diseases alone make up 90% of these cases, while cancers account for 5%. Many of these deaths could be prevented if people had access to treatment, but the high cost makes it impossible for many,” he noted.
Mr Akando acknowledged the role of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in supporting healthcare but pointed out that it does not cover many specialised treatments.
He said Mahama Cares would address this gap by offering financial assistance to people battling chronic illnesses.
To guide the fund’s operations, the government has inaugurated the Mahama Cares Technical Taskforce, a team of experts responsible for developing the necessary policies, creating a funding structure, and setting eligibility criteria for those who will benefit.
The task force is chaired by Reverend Professor Emeritus Seth Aryeetey, a former provost of the College of Health Sciences. Other members include experienced professionals from the medical, financial, and legal fields.
Prof Aryeetey welcomed the initiative, saying it would be life-changing for families struggling with the high cost of treatment. “For those who depend on dialysis or chemotherapy, this is not just another policy, it is relief and hope,” he said.
The government has appealed to businesses, civil society, and international partners to support Mahama Cares. “This is a collective effort. We need strong financial backing and expert contributions to make it work,” the Health Minister said.
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SOURCE: GRAPHICONLINE
<p>The post Government launches Mahama Cares to support treatment of chronic diseases first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.</p>
Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccine: A lifeline against a silent killer
By: Brain Akutei-Azu Mateko
President of the Hepatitis Foundation of Ghana, Mr. Theobald Owusu Ansah, has emphasized that administering the Hepatitis B vaccine to newborns can protect them from the threat of a severe liver disease.
Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show today, March 12, 2025 he explained that Hepatitis B is one of several viruses affecting the liver and is the most prevalent type in Africa.
While hepatitis A and E are spread through contaminated food and water, hepatitis B, C, and D are transmitted through infected blood.
Mr. Ansah explained that Hepatitis B can be prevented with a simple vaccine given within the first 24 hours of birth, in contrast to Hepatitis C, which has no vaccine and can only be treated.
He cautioned that Hepatitis B is particularly dangerous because it often remains symptom-free until severe damage, such as liver cancer or liver failure, occurs. The virus can survive outside the body for up to seven days, increasing the risk of transmission.
The virus is mostly passed from mother to child during birth—a process known as vertical transmission—and can also spread between children in schools and households due to close contact. Testing for hepatitis B is essential, as its early symptoms can be mistaken for other common illnesses like malaria or typhoid. However, access to comprehensive testing, especially for hepatitis D, remains limited in the country.
Mr. Ansah urged health authorities to implement widespread newborn vaccination programmes to safeguard future generations. He believes that with increased awareness and proactive vaccination efforts, Ghana can significantly reduce the spread of Hepatitis B and prevent countless cases of life-threatening liver disease.
<p>The post Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccine: A lifeline against a silent killer first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.</p>