The overwhelming burden of infectious diseases and scarcity of resources has led to the neglect of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
Despite Ghana’s recognition of the challenges posed by NCDs to public health, NCDs remain vastly underfunded and less prioritized.
To lessen the impact of NCDs on individuals and society, a comprehensive approach is needed, requiring all sectors to collaborate to reduce the risks associated with NCDs and promote interventions for mental health and NCD prevention.
It is in this regard, that the National High-Level Meeting on NCDs is a flagship event of the Ghana NCD Alliance launched in 2018.
Over the past five years, the high-level meeting has elevated NCDs as a national priority by convening key stakeholders from government agencies, civil society actors, the private sector, donors, academia, and well-wishing individuals to take stock of the successes and gaps as well as identify the way forward on Ghana’s national NCD and mental health response.
However, this year’s 6TH National High-Level Meeting on NCDs has been held under the theme: “Building a Coordinated Front to Bridge the NCD and Mental Health Response Gaps to Achieve Universal Health Coverage in Ghana,”
Dr. Baffour Awuah, Technical Director at the Ministry of Health, delivering an address on behalf of the Minister for Health, Dr Kwaku Agyeman Manu, emphasized the Ministry’s proactive response to this health crisis, leading the development of the Noncommunicable Disease policy and its Implementation strategy in 2022.
This document has been positioned as a crucial element in the strategy to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana.
The goal is to align with the Universal Health Coverage 2030 agenda and address the burden of NCDs in the country.
While recognizing the previous efforts in raising awareness and implementing preventive measures, Dr. Awuah emphasized the need for continued collective commitment and collaboration to tackle this issue.
Partnerships between various stakeholders such as the government, healthcare professionals, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector are identified as crucial for effectively addressing the underlying causes and risk factors associated with NCDs. Dr. Awuah advocates for a comprehensive approach that includes promoting healthy lifestyles, ensuring access to quality healthcare services, and strengthening health systems.
To achieve this goal, it is essential to integrate NCD care into existing healthcare systems and invest in training healthcare professionals to provide adequate care. By working together, we can build a healthier future for Ghana and combat the growing burden of NCDs.
The President of the African Academy of Neurology, Dr Augustina Charway-Felli also expressed worry about the number of people dying from Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The condition, she believes, is a threat to economic progress. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are largely caused by poor dietary habits.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 28 lives are lost each minute to non-communicable diseases, out of which 25 occur in developing countries like Ghana.
Dr Charway-Felli disclosed that mental health disorders are a significant contributor to disability-adjusted life years (DALY).
Dr Charway-Felli highlighted that addressing and treating mental health disorders, it could effectively reduce the burden of disease and improve overall well-being.
She pointed out that identifying people afflicted and the necessity of treating them is just as important as simply recognizing the existence of non-communicable diseases.
According to him, although diseases can be managed, finding a cure is highly unlikely.
Stressing that there is the need to move from a curative management model, which is the one currently in place to a preventive model, stating that this can be achieved by educating people about the diseases and ways to prevent them.
The Former CEO of the Mental Health Authority, Prof. Akwasi Osei, advised the public to refrain from consuming substances like alcohol that could lead to Non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This could go a long way in maintaining good physical and mental health.
The Chairperson of GhNCDA, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, also noted that the National High-Level platform was to bring attention to the NCD challenge and encourage appropriate national response.
Stressing that, the event and activities of the Ghana NCD Alliance in the past years, have received increased attention in Ghana. The Alliance has helped to raise awareness and guide policy decisions related to NCDs.
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Christopher Agbega, an advocate for persons with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) in Ghana, also seized the opportunity to highlight on difficulties faced by NCD patients.
He emphasized that the challenges encountered by NCD patients are significant, ranging from unemployment to total reliance on friends and family for assistance.
Agbega pointed out that in addition to the financial implications on the individual, NCD patients also face daily physical and emotional struggles.
“Imagine waking up each day knowing that your body is at war with itself. The fatigue, pain, and emotional distress become constant companions,” he lamented.
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo/mydailynewsonline.com
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