Month: June 2024

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned the youth to disregard the widely held misconception linking smoking tobacco to masculinity.

Madam Francisca Obeng, the Central Regional Head of the Authority, said: ‘Do not be misled into thinking that using tobacco and other addictive substances signifies masculinity.’

‘Instead, demonstrate your masculinity through academic and social achievements with unwavering determination in all your endeavours and leave a lasting impact that garners admiration whenever your name is mentioned.’

Madam Obeng gave the advice on Friday at separate events to mark the ‘World No Tobacco Day’ in the Cape Coast Metropolis, on the theme: ‘Safeguarding Children from the Interference of the Tobacco Industry.’

Focusing on addictive substances, she educated numerous artisans, traders, drivers and students on the hazards of smoking tobacco and the use of other harmful substances.

The World No Tobacco Day is observed annually on May 31 to lead a global campaign aimed at raising awa
reness about the risks associated with tobacco use and advocate effective measures to reduce consumption.

The discussions serve as a platform for young individuals, policymakers and advocates of tobacco control worldwide to address the issue.

It also calls on governments to implement policies that protect young people from the manipulative practices of tobacco products and related industries.

Despite the decrease in cigarette smoking over the years due to remarkable efforts by the tobacco control community, the World Health Organisation (WHO) emphasises the need for further action to safeguard vulnerable populations.

Globally, there is a diminishing population of adult tobacco users, totalling 1.25 billion, according to the WHO tobacco trends report, with approximately one in five adults worldwide using tobacco, compared to one in three in the year 2000.

Madam Obeng noted that the youth were at a crucial stage in life and, therefore, decisions they made could significantly impact their physical, mental h
ealth and overall well-being.

‘We trust that you are cognisant of the harmful effects of tobacco on human organs, including cancer, kidney and liver diseases, oral and throat infections, and strokes.’

‘Tobacco and substance abuse present serious risks to our physical and mental health. Whether it involves smoking cigarettes, vaping, or experimenting with drugs, these behaviours could lead to addiction, health complications, and even premature death. We cannot afford to ignore this reality.’

She urged teachers to protect students, listen to their concerns and educate them on the adverse effects of substance abuse.

‘If we fail to educate them, they will also falter, as it takes a community to raise a child, and we must play our part in moulding them into responsible young men and women to strive for a brighter future,’ Madam Obeng said.

‘Distinguished educators, I urge you to kindly build relationships with these young individuals.’

Some students of Mfantsipim School commended the school’s extensive couns
elling programme, which educated students on the dangers of using tobacco, marijuana, and other harmful substances.

However, others called on the government to closely monitor the advertising strategies of addictive substances that attract children and adolescents, particularly through social media and streaming platforms.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has provided some items and logistical support to ensure comprehensive community-based primary health care delivery in the North East Region.

The donation was part of the Community-Based Planning and Services (CHPS) Plus Project Phase II, which is being implemented in the area.

Seven pick-up vehicles, 20 tricycle ambulances, 78 motorbikes, 40 mobile phones, 44 delivery beds, 450 each of the following items: bicycles, knapsacks, torchlights, raincoats, and wellington boots, as well as 190 Veronica buckets are among the items presented.

The others are 480 branded T-shirts, four surgical masks, 73 stethoscopes, two air conditioners, a photocopier machine, a projector and nine laptop computers.

Mr Dong Hyun Lee, the Country Director, KOICA, at the handing over ceremony at Gambaga in the East Mamprusi Municipality of the region, said the items were specifically chosen to address key challenges
related to the health care needs of the people.

He said KOICA had been a proud partner in strengthening Ghana’s primary health care delivery in facilitating the country’s efforts to attain the universal health coverage.

Mr Bhanu Pathak, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Tamale, expressed support for the project and gave the assurance to continue to provide technical support to ensure its successful implementation.

Dr Abubakari Baba Braimah, the North East Regional Director of Health, said KOICA and UNICEF had made a huge impact in the region’s quest to improve health care outcomes.

The project has, so far, benefitted 70 CHPS zones in all the six districts, 22 health centres, and four hospitals; the Chereponi Government Hospital, Binde Hospital, Nalerigu Baptist Medical Centre, and the Walewale Hospital.

He said prior to the implementation of the project, only 74 CHPS zones out of 154 demarcated in the region had trained community health officers (CHOs) and that 50 CHOs were trained in 2023 after the lau
nch of the project, whilst 72 received refresher courses.

‘The proportion of skilled deliveries conducted at the CHPS level in the region increased from 20.9 per cent to 22.6 per cent at the end of 2023 and sharply increased to 32 per cent at the end of the first quarter of 2024. Immunisation services increased from 61 per cent to 63 per cent between the end of 2022 and 2023,’ Dr Braimah said.

Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General, Ghana Health Service, whose speech was read on his behalf, corroborated the innovativeness of the project, saying it was community centered and aligned perfectly with the country’s network of practice approach.

He appealed to the various stakeholders in the region to own it to ensure that the intention for its implementation was achieved.

Mr Yidana Zakaria, the Regional Minister, praised KOICA and UNICEF for their intervention and pledged to show keen interest in how the tools were used to ensure a longer lifespan to achieve the intended purpose.

Source: Ghana News Ag
ency

The Hepatitis Alliance of Ghana (HAG) has cautioned the media against misinforming the public on the mode of transmission of Hepatitis ‘B’.

Professor Charles Ampong Adjei, the Executive Director, HAG, said misinformation and unauthenticated publication about the spread of the virus might contribute to public stigmatisation and discrimination that could fuel the spread of the disease.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, Prof. Adjei said it was unfortunate that many people were unaware about the ‘etiology and transmission route of the hepatitis ‘B’ virus, which appears to be exacerbating the stigma in the country.’.

He ruled out the wrong notion that the virus could be transmitted through the sharing of food, saliva, or preparation of meals, saying such inaccurate information created an environment of secrecy that could contribute to depression and barrier to testing and linkage care.

Prof. Adjei spoke against the public stigmatisation of persons with Hepatitis ‘B’ and that societal
discrimination had substantial consequences, impacting on the affected population’s mental health.

‘It reduces their self-esteem, causes unending depression, and in rare cases suicidal ideation,’ he stated. 

‘In fact, stigmatisation of persons of hepatitis ‘B’ threatened marriages. The discordant couple may feel very uneasy connecting with their spouse for fear of contracting the virus.’

‘The fact remains that the most common route of hepatitis ‘B’ transmission in African countries, including Ghana, is from an infected mother to the child at birth (perinatal transmission) or through horizontal transmission (exposure to infected blood). 

He observed that misconceptions about transmission undermined the ongoing efforts by civil society organisations to tackle the stigma in a holistic manner.

Source: Ghana News Agency