Diabetes centre inaugurated in Central Region
A diabetes support centre has been inaugurated at the Our Lady of Grace Hospital at Breman Asikuma in the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District of the Central Region.
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The facility, which has consulting, counselling and education rooms, will help health personnel to discharge their duties efficiently to diabetic patients.
The centre will offer diabetes screenings, training of healthcare professionals and also create access to quality insulin and diagnostic equipment at affordable prices for people at Asikuma Odoben Brakwa and its environs.
Benefactor
The fully-furnished facility was funded by Novo Nordisk, a leading diabetes company headquartered in Denmark under its Base of Pyramid project and Palb Pharmaceuticals.
The Base of Pyramid Project Manager, Ghana, Mr Samuel Kofo Tovor, noted that the number of people with diabetes was increasing in the country and attributed the situation to urbanisation with its associated unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.
Statistics
It was estimated that over 820,000 people would be developing the disease by the year 2035. Meanwhile, 80 per cent of diabetes cases were said to be preventable through healthy lifestyle choices.
According to Mr Torvor, diabetic patients could be given the needed support when the disease was detected early.
Unfortunately, he said, “It is often detected too late.” The manager, however, expressed optimism that with the establishment of the centre, there would be increased awareness of the disease to help ensure early diagnoses and treatment of patients.
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Advise
An official from Palb Pharmaceuticals, Andrew Murphy Bawuah, called for self monitoring of blood glucose for people with diabetes to aid healthcare professionals to promptly manage the disease.
Mr Ivan Essegbey of the National Catholic Health Service said it was worrying that population growth had not been matched with availability of health facilities and services, particularly for the vulnerable.
He urged the government to make health services available to all.
The District Chief Executive for Asikuma Odoben Brakwa, Mr Adom Botchwey, thanked the funding organisations, saying the inauguration of the centre was timely.
He urged families and individuals to seek the right information to help guide their lifestyles and promote good health.
Rev. Father Daniel Neyor, Archdiocesan Director of Health, said the centre was another boost to the services at the hospital.
He advised the staff members to ensure proper maintenance at the hospital.