Category: Rokmer Health Tips

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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.

Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccine: A lifeline against a silent killer

March 12, 2025 admin

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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.

The post Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccine: A lifeline against a silent killer first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.

Experts warn of rising kidney disease cases in children due to unregulated medication

March 11, 2025 admin

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By Josephine Kekeli Amuzu

Senior Nursing Officer of Child Health at Korle Bu, Mrs Juliet Osei Waziri, has raised concerns over the rising cases of kidney disease among children. She linked them to unregulated medication use and poor healthcare practices.

Speaking on the GTV breakfast show on March 11, 2025, Mrs Juliet Osei Waziri stated that in recent years parents have increasingly turned to unprescribed treatments for their children’s ailments, which often leads to severe complications, including kidney failure.

She lamented how this was not a problem in the past. “Instead of seeking medical help, some parents listen to friends who suggest trying different medications and remedies when they see changes in their children, but some of these medications have harmful effects on children’s kidneys,” she noted.

For her part, the General Secretary of the Paediatric Society of Ghana, Dr. Anastasia Prosorova, highlighted that kidney diseases in children can vary by age group. For newborns and infants, a child health specialist said, there are congenital issues that developed during pregnancy and are often the cause.

“These children may be born with structural problems that affect their kidneys. Sometimes, their abdomens appear larger than usual, or they may have other physical differences, which we categorise as syndromes,” Dr. Prosorova explained.

Despite these medical concerns, many parents still resort to herbal treatments, hoping for a cure.

She stated that she does not condemn the use of herbal medicine. However, she warned that some herbal remedies contain harmful substances that can further damage the kidneys, especially in children. “We do see cases where herbal treatments are used, but often, by the time the child arrives at the hospital, the condition has worsened,” Dr. Prosorova stated.

As part of this year’s World Kidney Day awareness campaign, they urged parents to prioritise hospital visits for any signs of illness in their children. Early medical intervention can prevent complications and improve treatment outcomes.

Parents are advised to watch for warning signs such as swelling, changes in urine patterns, and prolonged fatigue.

Parkinson’s cases could double by 2050, reaching 25 million worldwide

March 10, 2025 admin

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The global burden of Parkinson’s disease is expected to more than double in the coming decades as people live longer and some countries experience a population boom, a new study suggests.

The number of people worldwide with the neurodegenerative condition will reach 25.2 million by 2050, up from 11.9 million in 2021, according to the projections from researchers at Chinese and Canadian universities, which were published in the BMJ.

Independent experts said the findings underscore the urgency of finding new treatments and shoring up social support for people with Parkinson’s.

“It just shows that it absolutely needs to be addressed now, because there is no way that any of the global health services can cope with that level of demand from one specific condition,” Amelia Hursey, strategic director at the advocacy group Parkinson’s Europe, told Euronews Health.

The prevalence of Parkinson’s could reach 267 cases per 100,000 people in 2050, up 76 per cent in three decades, the study found.

About 10.9 million people in East Asia will have Parkinson’s in 2050, a greater toll than any other region. South Asia will follow with an estimated 6.8 million cases.

Meanwhile, western parts of sub-Saharan Africa will see the fastest growth in Parkinson’s cases in the coming decades (292 per cent), driven largely by population growth but also ageing.

What are the factors behind the rise in Parkinson’s?

Hursey, who was not involved with the study, added that as countries become more developed, rates of physical activity tend to fall. Exercise appears to offer protection against Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative conditions.

“What you’re potentially seeing is, as people become more sedentary in their work, in their world, you’re actually ending up with a less healthy brain,” she said.

While lower- and middle-income countries are expected to see the sharpest uptick in Parkinson’s burden, increases are expected in every part of the world by 2050.

Cases are expected to rise by 50 per cent in Western Europe, for example, and by 28 per cent in Central and Eastern Europe.

The researchers said the geographical divides could be due to differences in socioeconomic status, changes to how populations are structured, lifestyles, and toxic environments due to industrialisation and urbanisation.

For example, some studies have pointed to air pollution as a risk factor for Parkinson’s.

Research on other environmental pollutants – such as on certain pesticides and cleaning chemicals as well as microplastics – suggests they may raise Parkinson’s risks, but much remains unknown about the drivers of the disease.

Even so, the study results indicate that “the likelihood of increased [Parkinson’s] numbers is significant in the world that we live in now, if we don’t change anything about the … environment as it stands,” Hursey said.

David Dexter, research director at Parkinson’s UK, told Euronews Health that investments are needed in research, medical care, and support services for people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers.

Today, he said, “people with Parkinson’s are not getting the healthcare and services they need to live well”.

SOURCE: EURONEWS

The post Parkinson’s cases could double by 2050, reaching 25 million worldwide first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.

Government allocates GH¢292.4m to provide free sanitary pads for students

March 11, 2025 admin

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By Rejoice Henrietta Otoo Arthur

The government has taken a major step to address period poverty by allocating GH¢292.4 million to begin the distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools.

This announcement was made by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson while presenting the 2025 national budget.

“We have allocated an amount of 292.4 million Ghana cedis to commence the distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools,” the minister stated.

For years, the high cost of sanitary pads has been a barrier for many girls, leading to school absenteeism and health risks. Under the previous tax policy, sanitary pads were classified as “Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles” under the Harmonized System Code 9619001000, attracting multiple taxes, including a 20% import duty, 12.5% Value Added Tax (VAT), and other statutory levies.

This resulted in a 32.5% tax on imported sanitary products, pushing the price of a pack of pads to between GH¢20 and GH¢40. These high costs have made sanitary pads unaffordable for many low-income households. Menstruation is a natural biological process, yet the imposition of taxes on sanitary products has reinforced gender inequalities, keeping many girls out of school and limiting opportunities for young women.

The lack of access to sanitary pads has also led some girls to resort to unhygienic alternatives, posing serious health risks. With this new policy, the government aims to reduce the financial burden on families and ensure that no girl misses school because of menstruation.

The initiative is part of broader social protection efforts to bridge the inequality gap in education and economic empowerment for women and girls.

The distribution of free sanitary pads is expected to improve school attendance, enhance menstrual hygiene, and promote gender equality. This marks a significant shift in government policy, prioritizing the well-being and dignity of girls across Ghana.

The post Government allocates GH¢292.4m to provide free sanitary pads for students first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.

Hypertension: The silent killer topping OPD cases at Tamale Teaching Hospital

March 11, 2025 admin

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By Joyce Kantam Kolamong

A Cardiologist at Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), Dr. Abdul-Subulr Yakubu, has expressed concern over the rising cases of hypertension, which topped the Outpatient Department (OPD) attendance list in 2024.

According to statistics, hypertension accounted for 6,218 cases, followed closely by diabetes mellitus with 4,474 cases. Kidney diseases, malaria, and stroke rounded out the top five causes of OPD attendance.

Dr. Yakubu emphasized that hypertension is a significant public health concern, often referred to as a “silent killer” due to its asymptomatic nature in the early stages. “Hypertension is a big problem, and we have been echoing this for a very long time,” Dr. Yakubu said. “Statistics show that almost a third of the adult population is hypertensive in Ghana.”

The cardiologist stressed that the only way to diagnose hypertension is through regular blood pressure checks, as symptoms often do not appear until the condition has progressed.

“People think that if you have hypertension, you have to feel sick,” Dr. Yakubu explained. “No, the only way you know is if you check your BP.”

Dr. Yakubu attributed the high prevalence of hypertension to a combination of genetic, dietary, and environmental factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, stress, and high salt intake.

While hypertension is relatively easy to diagnose and treat, Dr. Yakubu emphasized the need for community awareness and education to encourage people to get tested and seek treatment.

The post Hypertension: The silent killer topping OPD cases at Tamale Teaching Hospital first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.

Health stakeholders meet in Tamale to track government promises

March 13, 2025 admin

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By Joyce Kantam Kolamong

Stakeholders in the health sector have convened in Tamale to dialogue, assess, and monitor the government’s promises on health highlighted in its electoral manifesto in the run-up to the 2024 elections.

Key stakeholders, including civil society organisations, health sector practitioners, advocacy groups, and the media, were present at the dialogue meeting. The event aimed to foster evidence-based advocacy and policy dialogue to improve healthcare service delivery and ensure accountability.

The event witnessed expert presentations, breakout sessions, and consensus-building on methodologies for tracking healthcare commitments in the manifesto.

Executive Director of the STAR-Ghana Foundation, Amidu Ibrahim-Tanko, emphasised the importance of collective action in tracking government commitments in the health sector. He noted that Ghana has reached a critical stage in its development, where economic crisis and extreme partisanship require a neutral, evidence-based assessment of government spending and policy implementation.

“They sold the manifestos to us as the contracts that they would sign with us when they are elected. So the elections have happened. What do we do next? Two options. One, we fold our hands and wait for the next four years. Or two, we get involved in the process to ensure that if there’s any corrections to be made as we move along, it’s done as early as possible and don’t happen only after the fact. Which is why Star Ghana and partners thought that it’s important after the engagement on the manifestos to see how we can collectively engage in the process of the implementation of the manifesto promises and other commitments that Ghana as a country has signed up to,” he explained.

A participant at the event, Dr. Yaa Nyarko Adjeso, from the Directorate of Community Relations and Outreach Programme at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, highlighted the importance of community involvement in monitoring government commitments.

She indicated, “We are having an exercise whereby we are looking at the promises of the government and looking at the indicators, whether truly those things can be achieved. And I believe that if truly what has been stated in the documents is being implemented, and with proper monitoring, I believe that as a country we’ll be able to have a better health system. Currently there are lapses here and there, but looking at the manifesto and going through, I believe that with the intention of building more facilities and making sure we have resources within the facilities in terms of staffing and other things, if this is done, then the health of the Ghanaian citizen will be improved.”

Dr. Adjeso emphasised that citizens should be watchdogs, utilise health facilities, and provide feedback to ensure improved health outcomes.

Portfolio Manager for Social Services at STAR-Ghana Foundation, Raymond Danso, outlined the strategy for monitoring government commitments in the health sector. He explained that the organisation has defined roles for monitoring health interventions, communicating observations to the government, and conducting advocacy and research to support policy implementation.

The dialogue meeting was organised at the behest of The STAR-Ghana Foundation, with funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), as part of its Inclusive Elections & Accountable Governance in Ghana Project (Phase III).

Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia at highest level in over 25 years

March 14, 2025 admin

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A new report from global health authorities has warned about the rise of measles after a high number of cases in 2024.

Europe saw the highest number of measles cases in more than 25 years in 2024, with more than 120,000 cases reported in the region.

That figure was double the number of cases in 2023, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

Measles cases in the European region, which includes parts of Central Asia, have been “generally declining” in Europe since a peak in 1997 with 216,000 cases, WHO and UNICEF said. There was a low of 4,440 cases in 2016.

UNICEF said that about 40 per cent of measles infections in Europe and Central Asia were in children under 5 and that more than half of all people sickened by measles had to be hospitalised.

Measles is among the world’s most infectious diseases and is spread by an airborne virus.

Two doses of the measles vaccine are estimated to be 97 per cent effective in preventing the disease, which typically infects the respiratory system and causes symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash.

In serious cases, measles can cause pneumonia, encephalitis, dehydration, and blindness.

“Measles is back, and it’s a wake-up call,” Dr Hans Kluge, WHO’s Europe director, said in a statement. “Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security,” he added.

Romania had the most measles infections, at more than 30,000, followed by Kazakhstan, which reported 28,147 people with measles.

WHO and UNICEF noted that in both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, fewer than 70 per cent and 50 per cent of children in those countries respectively have been vaccinated against measles for at least the past five years.

Importance of high levels of vaccination

Scientists estimate that more than 95 per cent of the population needs to be immunised to prevent outbreaks.

“Measles is pretty much completely vaccine-preventable. Two doses of the measles vaccines prevent infection, illness, and thus transmission,” said Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton in the UK.

“With a high global uptake, the world could eradicate this disease. However, measles is incredibly infectious, more so than for example the COVID-19 variants. With even slight declines in vaccine uptake, outbreaks are inevitable,” he added in a statement.

After a drop in immunisation coverage during the coronavirus pandemic, measles cases surged in 2023 and 2024, with vaccination rates in numerous countries still lower than what they were before COVID-19 hit.

Nkwanta Health Directorate, Unilever Ghana, and Dental Association provide free dental screening in Breweniase

March 14, 2025 admin

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By Jones Anlimah

The Nkwanta Health Directorate, in partnership with Unilever Ghana Limited and the Ghana Dental Association, organized a free oral and dental screening exercise for residents of Breweniase in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region as part of activities marking this year’s World Oral Health Day.

This year’s celebration is under the theme “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Mind,” emphasizing the link between good oral health and overall well-being. The campaign aims to raise awareness that maintaining proper dental hygiene contributes to better physical and mental health.

During the screening, more than 300 clients were attended to, with many presenting dental-related problems. Some had their teeth cleaned and polished, while others with more serious conditions were referred to the Nkwanta South Municipal Hospital for further treatment.

Dr. Julius Nii Darko Wellington, one of the lead dentists at the event, expressed appreciation for the collaboration. “We have attended to over 300 clients, most of whom presented with dental-related issues. We conducted cleaning and polishing for some, while others were referred to the Nkwanta South Municipal Hospital. We are grateful to Unilever Ghana and the Ghana Dental Association for their support,” he said.

As part of the initiative, Unilever Ghana distributed free Pepsodent toothpaste to all participants to encourage proper dental care.

The Nkwanta Health Directorate commended Unilever Ghana and the Ghana Dental Association for their contributions to promoting oral health awareness in the region, stressing the importance of preventive care in ensuring a healthier and happier community.

The post Nkwanta Health Directorate, Unilever Ghana, and Dental Association provide free dental screening in Breweniase first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.

Understanding Kidney Health: The Importance of Early Detection and Prevention

March 13, 2025 admin