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Tag: Diabetes

  • Asthmatic-diabetic protestor being refused medical care by Police – #FixTheCountry movement

    Asthmatic-diabetic protestor being refused medical care by Police – #FixTheCountry movement

    The #FixTheCountry Movement has raised alarm over the treatment of one of their protestors, Pricilla Tobili, who has been denied access to critical medical care while in police custody.

    Tobili, who suffers from multiple health conditions including diabetes and asthma, was reportedly arrested during the recent Democracy Hub protests, which aimed to call for an end to illegal mining activities (galamsey).

    In a post shared on social media platform X, the movement stated: “Pricilla Tobili, the abducted protestor who suffers from multiple health complications including diabetes and asthma is still having access to medical necessities denied. We have been informed that her relatives tried to send medication to her location but they were turned away. At which point is state-sanctioned torture an appropriate term? Regardless of your personal views of the protest, the protestors etc, do you think this behavior by @GhPoliceService is appropriate and just? All of this is happening with the world watching, imagine what will happen if you get arrested and no one knows and there is no media attention?”

    The concerns surrounding Tobili’s health come on the back of widespread arrests during the Democracy Hub protests, which concluded over the weekend. More than 40 demonstrators were taken into custody.

    Among those arrested is lawyer and social media influencer, Ama Governor, who expressed her frustrations after being detained for over 48 hours without food or water. She was among those apprehended during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration, which coincided with the Democracy Hub protest.

    Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the lead convener of the protest, was also arrested and later admitted to the Police Hospital after complaining of ill health. He and another protestor, Fanny Otoo, were both brought before the Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday, where Barker-Vormawor was seen being aided by police officers to climb the stairs due to his condition.

    The police have accused Barker-Vormawor of participating in “various unlawful acts” during the protests. He is expected to return to court on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

    Meanwhile, eleven other protestors who appeared before the court on Wednesday have been remanded into police custody after pleading not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime. This development brings the total number of demonstrators currently remanded to 50.

    https://twitter.com/Ghfixthecountry/status/1839285267988922774
  • Are you aware that abdominal obesity could lead to diabetes?

    Are you aware that abdominal obesity could lead to diabetes?

    On March 4th, the global community marked World Obesity Day, prompting me to emphasize the urgent need for discussions surrounding the risks associated with obesity, particularly focusing on abdominal obesity and its profound impact on overall health.

    The link between abdominal obesity and its influence on conditions like diabetes is crucial to acknowledge. Through informed lifestyle choices and increased awareness, we can alleviate the burden of obesity.

    In Africa, obesity rates are surging, posing a significant threat to millions, including children, as highlighted by the World Health Organization’s warning of a “ticking time bomb” if left unaddressed. The global prevalence of overweight and obesity has tripled since 1975, presenting a grave public health challenge.

    In South Africa, urban areas are experiencing a concerning prevalence of excess body weight, leading to a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as prediabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, and atherogenic dyslipidaemia. These NCDs contribute significantly to the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the country, which ranks as the unhealthiest globally.

    Abdominal obesity, characterized by fat accumulation around the abdomen, poses a significant health risk, potentially leading to diabetes, heart disease, or stroke, even in individuals with an otherwise healthy body weight.

    While addressing the complexities surrounding diabetes and its contributing factors is challenging, increasing awareness, implementing preventive measures, and advocating for comprehensive healthcare strategies can empower Africa to tackle the growing burden of abdominal obesity and strive for a healthier future.

    Both South Africa and Nigeria, Africa’s largest economies, are witnessing rapid increases in obesity rates. Projections indicate a 47.7% rise in female obesity and a 23.3% increase in male obesity in South Africa by 2025. In Nigeria, approximately 12 million individuals were estimated to be obese in 2020, with higher prevalence among women, particularly in urban areas. These trends are attributed to demographic shifts, rising income levels, urbanization, unhealthy lifestyles, and the consumption of highly processed diets like fast food.

    How does abdominal obesity lead to diabetes and other chronic diseases?

    Abdominal obesity is a major challenge, because the excess fat affects the effectiveness of insulin – a critical hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. This hinders the body’s capacity to efficiently use its available insulin, increasing insulin production to manage blood sugar levels.

    High cholesterol levels and elevated blood pressure are linked to excess insulin production. Over time, as the body struggles to sustain insulin production, blood sugar levels surge, culminating in the development of diabetes.9 Abdominal obesity is therefore the starting point of a complex series of events that ultimately leads to diabetes.In people who have abdominal obesity, the excess fat interferes with the action of insulin, a hormone that keeps blood sugar in check. As a result, the body is not able to use the available insulin and must produce more of it to control the blood sugar. The excess insulin produced can lead to an increase in cholesterol and a rise in blood pressure until the body cannot produce insulin, elevating blood sugar levels. Ultimately, this is how abdominal obesity leads to diabetes.

    How do you manage abdominal obesity and avoid diabetes?

    A “life-course” approach is to addressing obesity and noncommunicable diseases effectively is recommended by the World Health Organization. This holistic approach emphasises preconception and antenatal care as critical to preventing fetal overgrowth as a result of maternal obesity.

    During pregnancy, maternal obesity increases the risk of childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes even before children enter school. Among these transformative shifts in prevention is the focus on maternal abdominal obesity as a key determinant of long-term health outcomes.

    Secondly, obesity prevention should be prioritised for children and adolescents. Preventing childhood obesity requires fostering behavioural interventions spanning pregnancy, infancy, early childhood and adolescence.

    For adults who are overweight, it becomes more urgent to take measures to control abdominal weight. Approximately 90% of adults with Type 2 Diabetes are overweight. This statistic highlights the link, and is why most doctors recommend that overweight adults drop their weight by several kilograms as quickly as they can without harming their health.

    Losing weight is a matter of achieving a delicate balance between energy intake and energy expenditure. The number of calories consumed should be proportional to the physical activity undertaken. The quality of calories is equally important. Lean proteins such as skinless chicken breast, eggs, pulses and fish, complex carbs such as whole grains, millet, and vegetables and healthy fats such as nuts and seeds are considered good calories. In contrast, simple carbohydrates and unhealthy fats are considered bad calories.

    For the best results, consulting a nutritionist about the daily quantity of calories and the type of food that is best to eat is recommended. Regular and moderately intensive exercise such as brisk walking, jogging or dancing five times a week for 30 minutes and muscle strengthening activity two to three times a week is recommended to reduce the excess weight.

    If, despite these measures, it remains difficult to lose weight, a doctor may prescribe medicines that can assist in controlling obesity. In terms of health indicators, achieving a minimum weight loss of 5% is linked with positive impacts on blood pressure, fasting glucose, haemoglobin A1c, cholesterol, and is considered clinically significant.

    Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) is essential for diabetes management. This can be performed with portable glucometers, which are recognised by the ADA, IDF, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. SMBG can help manage diabetes (Type 1 Diabetes or insulin-treated Type 2 Diabetes). Structured self-monitoring of blood glucose (S-SMBG) also shows promise in patients with obesity and Type 2 diabetes who are not insulin-treated by helping them improve their lifestyle.

    Armed with data from regular self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), doctors can help create personalised care plans that will help achieve optimal blood sugar levels. This, combined with diet and exercise, can help to bring down weight and, in turn, keep diabetes in check.

    Today, when we know that abdominal obesity is a significant risk factor for chronic diseases such as diabetes, it is most important to keep our weight within the normal range to live a longer and healthier life.

    As we commemorate World Obesity Day, we can fight abdominal obesity and prevent diabetes. Let’s commit to making informed decisions today for a healthier tomorrow.

  • Another Nollywood actor Amaechi Muonagor, battling kidney disease, diabetes, stroke

    Another Nollywood actor Amaechi Muonagor, battling kidney disease, diabetes, stroke

    Tony ‘Oneweek’ Muonagor, a singer and cousin to actor Amaechi Muonagor, has provided an update on the actor’s current health condition.

    In a detailed post on his Facebook page on Monday, Tony revealed that Amaechi is battling kidney disease, diabetes, and strokes. He further explained that the actor is undergoing weekly dialysis and physiotherapy to address the paralysis resulting from the stroke.

    Sharing the picture of his visit to the hospital, Tony wrote: “This picture was taken two weeks ago when I visited my cousin Amaechi Monagor at the Nnewi Teaching Hospital. I initially wanted to quietly assist the way I could but later decided to make this post so that the online community could be better informed.

    “Amaechi is currently down with kidney disease, diabetes and stroke. He had been managing his diabetes over the years and living his life.

    “He is undergoing weekly dialysis and other treatments. The recent stroke made his case more expensive to battle alone, hence the publicity.

    “Amaechi is my first cousin. Many groups have been donating money for his hospital bills. As of today, there’s been some improvement. His blood sugar is under control, but he is still on weekly dialysis, physiotherapy and other treatments.

    “His full treatments and recovery require sustained funding. No amount is too small. Please keep Amaechi and his family in your prayers. May God grant him full healing.

    God bless you now and always.

    “Tony Oneweek Muonagor.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaR3RHpNsuM
  • National Diabetes Guidelines launched by Health Ministry, GHS

    National Diabetes Guidelines launched by Health Ministry, GHS

    The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Unit of the Ghana Health Service in partnership with the Diabetes Endocrine and Metabolic Society of Ghana (DEMSoG) has launched the National Diabetes Guidelines on the theme, ‘’Access to diabetes care’’.

    The launch also coincided with the commemoration of 2023 World Diabetes Day.

    It is expected that diabetes care will improve with the development and implementation of a national guideline, which will ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes and its complications.

    Research indicates that diabetes is a growing global health concern, and the prevalence of this chronic condition has been steadily rising, affecting millions of individuals and families worldwide.

    In Ghana, the situation is no different, with an estimated of 2.6% -9% per annum; that is, an average of 200,000 cases of diabetes reported to health facilities annually.

    The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, addressing participants at the launch, stated that the National Diabetes Guidelines will serve as a roadmap for healthcare professionals, outlining best practices and evidence-based approaches to the management of diabetes.

    “The Ministry of Health is seeking innovative ways to reduce exposure to risk factors that contribute to diabetes and NCDs’’, he asserted.

    Mr Agyeman-Manu commended the health professionals, technical experts and researchers who contributed to the development of the guidelines and urged that the occasion will be used to reaffirm individual’s commitment to raising awareness about diabetes, dispel myths and emphasize the urgency of early diagnosis.

    Prof Ernest Yorke, Vice president, DEMSoG & project coordinator, indicated that the guidelines seek to bridge gaps in diabetes management, standardize diabetes protocols and make best practices available to specialist practitioners who manage patients with diabetes across Ghana.

  • All you need to know about Diabetes

    All you need to know about Diabetes

    Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects how your body processes blood sugar (glucose), which is the primary source of energy for your cells. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Here’s what you need to know about each:

    1. Type 1 Diabetes:
    • Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
    • It is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can occur at any age.
    • People with Type 1 diabetes require insulin injections or insulin pump therapy to manage their blood sugar levels.
    • There is no known cure for Type 1 diabetes, and it requires lifelong management.
    1. Type 2 Diabetes:
    • Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and accounts for around 90-95% of all cases.
    • It occurs when the body either does not produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to insulin’s effects, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
    • Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history, and age (most commonly diagnosed in adults over 45).
    • Type 2 diabetes can often be managed through lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight loss. Medication or insulin may be prescribed if lifestyle changes are not enough.

    Common Symptoms of Diabetes:

    • Increased thirst and frequent urination
    • Fatigue
    • Unexplained weight loss
    • Blurred vision
    • Slow-healing sores or frequent infections
    • Tingling or numbness in hands or feet

    Complications of Diabetes:

    • Over time, high blood sugar levels can lead to various complications, including:
    • Cardiovascular problems (heart attack, stroke)
    • Kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy)
    • Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy)
    • Eye problems (diabetic retinopathy)
    • Foot ulcers and infections
    • Increased risk of infections
    • Mental health issues

    Prevention and Management:

    • Regular physical activity and a balanced diet can help prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes.
    • People with diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar levels regularly and follow their healthcare provider’s treatment plan.
    • It is essential to manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as attend regular check-ups with healthcare professionals.
    • Lifestyle modifications, such as quitting smoking and managing stress, are crucial in diabetes management.

    If you suspect you may have diabetes or are at risk, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. Early detection and appropriate management can help prevent complications and lead to better outcomes for those living with diabetes.

  • Afternoon exercise best for People with type 2 diabetes – Study reveals

    Afternoon exercise best for People with type 2 diabetes – Study reveals

    A recent study, has shown that people with type 2 diabetes should exercise in the afternoon rather than the morning to control their blood sugar.

    “In this study, we (have) shown that adults with type 2 diabetes had the greatest improvement in glucose control when they were most active in the afternoon,” co-corresponding author Dr. Jingyi Qian, from the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Massachusetts’ Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said in a statement.

    “We’ve known that physical activity is beneficial, but what our study adds is a new understanding that timing of activity may be important too,” Qian added.

    More than 2,400 people with type 2 diabetes who were overweight and wore waist accelerometers to record their physical activity were studied by a team of researchers from Brigham and Joslin Diabetes Center. The accelerometers measure vibration or acceleration of motion.

    After reviewing data from the first year of the study, researchers found that those who did “moderate-to-vigorous” physical activity in the afternoon had the greatest reduction in blood glucose levels.

    According to Harvard’s School of Public Health, examples of “moderate” activity include brisk walking, mowing the lawn with a power mower and playing badminton recreationally, while “vigorous” activity includes hiking, fast jogging, a basketball or soccer game or cycling at 14-16 miles per hour.

    You can tell if you are exercising at a moderate aerobic level if you’re able to talk but not sing your favorite song, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    When looking at data from the fourth year of the study, the team found that those who exercised in the afternoon maintained a reduction in blood glucose levels, and had the highest chance of being able to stop taking glucose-lowering diabetes medication.

    According to the World Health Organization, type 2 diabetes, which is the most prevalent variety of the disease, develops when the body either stops producing enough insulin or becomes resistant to it.

    It is primarily found in adults and is linked to advanced age, obesity, familial history, inactivity, and race/ethnicity.

    Diabetes patients run the risk of developing consequences like nerve damage, eye and hearing issues, kidney disease, heart disease, and early death.

    The study’s authors note that the observational study does come with limitations, as it didn’t measure sleep or diet.

    “Timing does seem to matter,” said co-corresponding author Dr. Roeland Middelbeek, assistant investigator at Joslin Diabetes Center. “Going forward, we may have more data and experimental evidence for patients to give more personalized recommendations.”

    Dr. Lucy Chambers, Head of Research Communications at Diabetes UK, said of the study: “Keeping physically active can help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels and reduce their risk of developing serious diabetes-related complications such as heart disease and kidney failure, as well as improving their overall wellbeing.

    Chambers, who was not involved with the study, emphasized the need for people to exercise where they can.

    “This new research found that regular ‘moderate-to-vigorous’ physical activity – whether in the morning, midday, afternoon or evening – was associated with lower average blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Afternoon exercise was linked with the greatest benefits but the reasons for this are unclear and current evidence on optimal times for exercising is mixed.

    “If you’re living with type 2 diabetes, the most important thing is to find an exercise you enjoy and that you can incorporate into your routine in the long-term – whether it’s before work, on your lunch break, or in the evening,” she added.

  • Increase duties on alcohol, tobacco to fund treatment of non-communicable diseases – Health Minister

    Increase duties on alcohol, tobacco to fund treatment of non-communicable diseases – Health Minister

    Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, has called for an increase in excise duties on three unhealthy consumables namely tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages.

    The revision is expected to rake an additional GH¢3.5 billion which the Ministry urges to be channelled into the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes and cancers, causing 17,000 deaths annually.

    The Minister of Health made this known in Accra on Monday, July 10 at a meeting to disseminate a study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on how such health taxes could improve health outcomes in managing NCDs.

    The proposal put forth calls for the implementation of a specific excise tax that would raise the retail price of cigarettes by GHS6 and alcoholic beverages by 20%, as well as the introduction of a specific excise tax that would raise taxes on beverages with added sugar by 20%.

    “The ad valorem tax should be maintained while introducing a uniform specific excise tax on tobacco products, introducing a specific excise tax on alcoholic beverages (based on ethanol content) and introducing a specific excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (based on sugar content),” Mr Agyeman-Manu suggested.

    “It presents a good opportunity to expand fiscal space to support government priorities which include health-related interventions focusing on NCD prevention, early detection and treatment to mitigate a huge financial burden on individuals and the state in future,” he stated.

    Mr Agyeman-Manu added that the increase in the taxes on these products may reduce their consumption, thereby averting some 34,600 deaths.

    According to the Health Minister, the concept of health tax is a powerful tool for revenue generation which has been successfully implemented in many countries.

    Mr Agyeman-Manu described the NCD burden as an alarming situation that requires the immediate provision of quality preventive, promotion, diagnostic, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care services for these diseases.

     “The financing of NCDs, therefore, requires additional resources beyond the traditional annual government budget and this calls for exploring innovative financing to increase domestic resources,” he stressed.

  • Regular medical checkups must be priority – Doctor to Ghanaians

    Regular medical checkups must be priority – Doctor to Ghanaians

    A General Practitioner at St. Michael’s Specialist Hospital, Dr. Catherine Amofa, has emphasized the importance of regular checkups and encouraged Ghanaians to visit the hospital for this purpose.

    She highlighted that conditions like hypertension and diabetes are silent killers with various complications, including organ failure.

    Dr. Amofa provided this advice during a health screening event organized by the hospital to raise awareness about hypertension, hepatitis B, and diabetes.

    She further explained that hypertension can affect the brain, leading to strokes, the heart, resulting in heart failure, and the kidneys, potentially causing kidney failure.

    “It can even give you neuropathic diseases that involve the nerves and blood vessels. It can also go as far as destroying your eyesight,” she added.

    According to Dr. Amofa, hypertension is particularly common among black individuals, especially Africans.

    She noted that sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, and insufficient rest are major contributing factors to this condition. Dr. Amofa urged the public to be mindful of their diet, engage in regular exercise, ensure sufficient rest, and maintain proper hydration by drinking water adequately.

    These lifestyle adjustments can help reduce the risk of hypertension and promote overall well-being.

    “The Ghanaian diet lately is made in such a way that if you do not take care, you will hardly get a balanced meal. The fats, oils, and salt contents in most of our staple foods are quite high.  “You do not have to join a gym to exercise. Just a little bit of cardio a few minutes a day, makes quite a difference,” the General Practitioner stated. 

  • Study reveals over 100 million Indians are diabetic

    Study reveals over 100 million Indians are diabetic

    A recently published study in Lancet has revealed that 101 million individuals in India, which accounts for 11.4% of the country’s population, are currently living with diabetes.

    The study, commissioned by the health ministry, also highlighted that an additional 136 million people, or 15.3% of the population, were living with pre-diabetes.

    The most prevalent type of diabetes is Type 2, where individuals experience elevated blood sugar levels due to insufficient insulin production or an inadequate response to the hormone.

    The latest study, published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, is considered to be the first to comprehensively cover every state to assess the country’s burden of non-communicable diseases.

    Researchers said they found that the prevalence of diabetes in India’s population was much higher than previously estimated. The WHO had estimated 77 million people suffering from diabetes, and nearly 25 million were pre-diabetics, at a higher risk of developing diabetes in near future.

    “It is a ticking time bomb,” Dr RM Anjana, lead author of the study and managing director at Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, told The Indian Express newspaper.

    “If you have pre-diabetes, conversion to diabetes is very, very fast in our population; more than 60% of people with pre-diabetes end up converting to diabetes in the next five years,” she said.

    Indian patients suffering diabetes and supporters participate in "Beat Diabetes," a 5kms walkathon aimed at spreading awareness about diabetes in Bangalore on November 21, 2010
    Image caption,Indians suffering from diabetes at a a walk to promote awareness about the condition in Bangalore city

    The decade-long study was conducted by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and involved 113,000 participants over the age of 20 from every state in India.

    Data collected in 2008 was extrapolated for 2021 using demographics in the latest National Family Health Survey, the most comprehensive household survey of health and social indicators by the government.

    The highest prevalence of diabetes was observed in Goa (26.4%), Puducherry (26.3%) and Kerala (25.5%).

    The study warned of a sharp rise in diabetes in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Arunachal Pradesh where the prevalence was lower.

    Also diabetes was more frequent in urban than rural areas, the study found.

    “Changing lifestyles, improved standards of living, migration to cities, erratic working hours, sedentary habits, stress, pollution, change in food habits and easy availability of fast food are some of the reasons why diabetes is rising in India,” Rahul Baxi, a consultant diabetologist at Bombay Hospital, told the BBC.

    Dr Baxi said that diabetes was “no more a disease of the affluent or of those in the cities”.

    “I see a good number of patients travelling from smaller towns. The prevalence of pre-diabetes is even higher and many people are undiagnosed for a long time.”

    This picture taken on August 8, 2011, 19 year old Indian resident Vipin Yadav gets his blood sugar test done by Delhi government docters at a mobile clinic outside a slum in Geeta Colony area of New Delhi.
    Image caption,A 19-year-old resident of Delhi gets his blood sugar test done at a clinic

    Dr Baxi said he has been seeing a lot of younger patients with diabetes over the last few years.

    “I have seen some cases of children of my patients who just checked their glucose levels at home because their parents were checking and they found the levels high!,” he said.

    Diabetes affects about one in 11 adults worldwide and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and limb amputation.

    It is normally split into type 1 and type 2.

    Type 1 diabetes is a disease of the immune system. It errantly attacks the body’s insulin factories (beta-cells) so there is not enough of the hormone to control blood sugar levels.

    Type 2 diabetes is largely seen as a disease of poor lifestyle as body fat can affect the way the insulin works.

  • Early education and awareness program on the alarming epidemic: diabetes, hypertension, kidney diseases

    Future Leaders STEM and Mentorship, a non-profit under the leadership of Dr. Abigail Wilson and committed to creating early awareness of the rising epidemic of diabetes, hypertension, kidney diseases and high cholesterol in Ghana provided early education awareness on these epidemics at the Kumasi Anglican SHS and KNUST SHS on Thursday, November 17 and Friday, November 18 respectively.

    The awareness programme, the first of its kind in High Schools in Ghana was dubbed “Health is Wealth” was organized by FLSMP in collaboration with the Ghana Pharmaceutical Students Federation. An estimated 5500 students were impacted.

    Prevention they say is better and cheaper than cure.

    Empowered and educated minds on these chronic diseases will help students understand how local diet and lifestyle can contribute to their overall wellness and well-being at an early age.

    According to NIH (National Institute of Health), more than one in four adults in Ghana has hypertension and 6% of Ghana’s population has diabetes. These two diseases are major culprits when it comes to kidney diseases.

    Therefore, every high school student at an early age must be provided with the basics regarding knowledge of these diseases’ states. They must understand the causes and prevention of diabetes, hypertension, and kidney diseases. This is the exact service FLSMP and our partners provided last Thursday and Friday.

    Not many people can connect that carbs turn into sugar in the blood stream and, when not consumed in moderation, can put one at risk for diabetes. Many people assume diabetes comes from candy and soft drinks alone, without knowing fufu, white rice, and kenkey all contain carbs that turn into sugar in the blood and when not consumed in moderation and without a healthy lifestyle such as regular exercise can put one at risk for developing diabetes.

    The team also provided leadership and Mentorship sessions for the students to empower, inspire, and innovate.
    Present at the event was Project lead Daniel Charway who emphasized the need to replicate the program across high schools in Ghana and the rest of Africa.

    We leverage cross-sector and industry collaborations as a UN SDG 3 AND 4 advocate organization. FLSMP is dynamically affianced in developing and delivering strategies that remove barriers and ensure more extensive access to FLSMP programs so that all high school students can participate.

    Source: Complex.com

  • Diabetes killed 416,000 people in Africa in 2021

    Diabetes mellitus took the lives of 416,000 people on the African continent last year, thus becoming one of the leading causes of death in Africa by 2030.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Ghana, Mr. Francis Kasolo who disclosed this in a statement read on his behalf at Ghana’s commemoration of the 2022 World Diabetes Day, said 24 million adults in Africa are currently living with the condition.

    The number was, however, predicted to swell by 129 percent to 55 million by 2045.

    Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease typically characterised by high sugar in the blood. Types are ‘Type 1’, affecting usually children with little or no insulin, ‘Type 2’, usually occurring after 18 years with poor response to insulin and ‘Gestational Diabetes’, one that is caused by pregnancy among women.

    Mr Kasolo said Diabetes is the only major non-communicable disease for which the risk of dying early is increasing, rather than decreasing.

    The commemoration, organised by the Ministry of Health, was on the theme: “Access to Diabetes Care”.

    He said epidemiological trends were reflected in Ghana as Type-2 Diabetes affected approximately six per cent of adults, a percentage that is expected to rise.

    The WHO Representative said the known factors include family history and increasing age, along with modifiable risk factors such as overweight and obesity, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, smoking and alcohol abuse.

    When left unchecked and without management and lifestyle changes, Diabetes, he said, could lead to several debilitating complications like heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, lower limb amputation, visual impairment, blindness, and nerve damage.

    To enhance controlling of the condition, Mr Kasolo appealed to governments of WHO member states to prioritise investment in essential products like insulin, glucometers and test strips, explaining: “This is critical to ensure equitable accessibility for everyone living with diabetes, no matter where on the continent they are”.

    Dr Efua Commeh, Acting Programme Manager, Non-communicable Diseases, Ghana Health Service, said Diabetes affected a significant number of children, many of whom were not recognised.

    “Children with this condition will live with it for very long time and it will affect productivity. Moreover, there are many who walk around with the condition without knowing about it,” she noted.

    In Ghana, she said Diabetes prevalence is between six and seven per cent, adding: “Obesity, hypertension, unhealthy diet and lifestyles are rising and it’s therefore, not surprising that diabetes is also rising among the public”.

    Dr Commeh said more than 200,000 people passed through the Out Patient Department of health facilities every year with diabetes, including gestational conditions.

    Deputy Minister of Health, Tina Mensah who launched the commemoration, said rate of Diabetes infection is beyond the government health system and called on health development partners to join hands with the government to control the condition in Ghana.

    Mr. Steven Arthur, a representative of Roche, a biotech company, who said Diabetes is a lifestyle disorder, encouraged the public to acquire a certified glucometer to check their sugar levels every morning before breakfast and two hours after lunch.

    He also asked those with Diabetes to engage in physical activities at least 150 minutes per week, spread within three discontinuous days.

    Mr Arthur admonished the public to consume only low, good quality calories, as bad ones affected sugar levels with sweetness and unhealthy fats.

    “There are a lot of apps that can help you to track your sugar and calories levels and also try to visit your Diabetes Specialists regularly to enable them modify your treatments accordingly,” he said.

    DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

     

    Source: GN

  • Diabetes killed 416,000 people in Africa in 2021 – WHO

    Diabetes mellitus took the lives of 416,000 people on the African continent last year, thus becoming one of the leading causes of death in Africa by 2030.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Ghana, Mr. Francis Kasolo who disclosed this in a statement read on his behalf at Ghana’s commemoration of the 2022 World Diabetes Day, said 24 million adults in Africa are currently living with the condition.

    The number was, however, predicted to swell by 129 percent to 55 million by 2045.

    Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease typically characterised by high sugar in the blood. Types are ‘Type 1’, affecting usually children with little or no insulin, ‘Type 2’, usually occurring after 18 years with poor response to insulin and ‘Gestational Diabetes’, one that is caused by pregnancy among women.

    Mr Kasolo said Diabetes is the only major non-communicable disease for which the risk of dying early is increasing, rather than decreasing.

    The commemoration, organised by the Ministry of Health, was on the theme: “Access to Diabetes Care”.

    He said epidemiological trends were reflected in Ghana as Type-2 Diabetes affected approximately six per cent of adults, a percentage that is expected to rise.

    The WHO Representative said the known factors include family history and increasing age, along with modifiable risk factors such as overweight and obesity, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, smoking and alcohol abuse.

    When left unchecked and without management and lifestyle changes, Diabetes, he said, could lead to several debilitating complications like heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, lower limb amputation, visual impairment, blindness, and nerve damage.

    To enhance controlling of the condition, Mr Kasolo appealed to governments of WHO member states to prioritise investment in essential products like insulin, glucometers and test strips, explaining: “This is critical to ensure equitable accessibility for everyone living with diabetes, no matter where on the continent they are”.

    Dr Efua Commeh, Acting Programme Manager, Non-communicable Diseases, Ghana Health Service, said Diabetes affected a significant number of children, many of whom were not recognised.

    “Children with this condition will live with it for very long time and it will affect productivity. Moreover, there are many who walk around with the condition without knowing about it,” she noted.

    In Ghana, she said Diabetes prevalence is between six and seven per cent, adding: “Obesity, hypertension, unhealthy diet and lifestyles are rising and it’s therefore, not surprising that diabetes is also rising among the public”.

    Dr Commeh said more than 200,000 people passed through the Out Patient Department of health facilities every year with diabetes, including gestational conditions.

    Deputy Minister of Health, Tina Mensah who launched the commemoration, said rate of Diabetes infection is beyond the government health system and called on health development partners to join hands with the government to control the condition in Ghana.

    Mr. Steven Arthur, a representative of Roche, a biotech company, who said Diabetes is a lifestyle disorder, encouraged the public to acquire a certified glucometer to check their sugar levels every morning before breakfast and two hours after lunch.

    He also asked those with Diabetes to engage in physical activities at least 150 minutes per week, spread within three discontinuous days.

    Mr Arthur admonished the public to consume only low, good quality calories, as bad ones affected sugar levels with sweetness and unhealthy fats.

    “There are a lot of apps that can help you to track your sugar and calories levels and also try to visit your Diabetes Specialists regularly to enable them modify your treatments accordingly,” he said.

    Source: Complex.com

  • Early signs of diabetes you should never ignore

    Diabetes is a condition in which the body struggles to regulate the amount of sugar in the blood. That leads to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). This condition weakens blood vessels and can damage internal organs such as the heart, eyes, brain, arteries, and kidneys.

    The pancreas produces a hormone called insulin that takes sugar (glucose) into cells and removes it from the blood. Unfortunately, a lot of individuals suffer with some degree of insulin resistance which causes diseases and obesity.

    The first signs of diabetes are usually not detected by blood tests. This is because the body compensates by producing more insulin. Here are some early signs of diabetes you should not ignore.

    1) Dark patches on the skin

    The most common sign of diabetes is the dark patches of velvety or leathery skin which can be seen in body folds such as the armpits, neck and groin.

    2) Craving for sweets

    If your blood sugar isn’t properly controlled, you’re more likely to experience sugar cravings after meals. This condition occurs because cells do not normally absorb sugar from the blood and can cause a sugar craving for energy.

    3) Blurred vision

    In the early stages of insulin resistance, blurred vision may occur. You will not be able to concentrate on what you are looking at. Insulin resistance causes the liquid lens to swell. High blood sugar can also damage the blood vessels associated with the eye, causing distorted vision and blurred vision.

    4) Frequent urination at night

    When there is too much glucose in the blood, it binds with water, causing the body to retain more water. The kidney have to work overtime to filter the blood sugar which causes frequent urination.

    5) Puffy face

    If you eat too many carbs and sugars, or if your body can’t control your blood sugar levels, you’re more likely to have puffy faces. Too much sugar in the blood causes fluid retention, which makes the face swell.

     

     

  • Over 200 residents of Ga Mashie benefit from free health screening

    Portable Practical Educational Preparation(PPEP), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that focuses on health care education has embarked on a free health screening exercise for residents of Ga Mashie in central Accra. More than 200 residents benefited from it.

    The beneficiaries were screened for hypertension, diabetes and other health conditions by a medical team from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

    Some of the beneficiaries who were diagnosed of various conditions were counselled and referred to health facilities for further medical care.

    Quality health care 

    The Project Co-ordinator of PPEP, Anita Annan, told the Daily Graphic that the exercise was part of efforts to ensure quality healthcare delivery in the area.

    “Our NGO has been organising health outreach programmes to educate people nationwide on the prevention of diabetes and hypertension on a daily basis to help the public to improve on their wellbeing,” she said.

    Mrs Annan noted that many people did not undertake regular check-ups due to funds and resources, for which reason the foundation and its partner  conducted the screening exercise to offer access to free medical treatment from specialists.

    She, however, advised the public to regularly visit health facilities for check-ups to improve on their health.

    Diabetics

    The matron of the Korle-Bu Diabetic Centre, Eunice Boafo, said reported cases of diabetes were on the increase at the centre.

    “About 70 to 80 people, aged between 40 and 60, report daily at the centre with diabetes,” she stated.

    She said about 80 per cent of the residents within Ga Mashie who were screened showed symptoms of hypertension.

    She, therefore, advised the public to adopt healthy lifestyles by exercising and eating balanced diets.

    The Country Director of the NGO, Edem Walter, said they had undertaken several development projects in some needy communities nationwide.

     

  • Health Ministry to push for subsidising cost of diabetes treatment

    The Ministry of Health is to send a proposal to Cabinet to consider the subsidisation of the cost of treating diabetes, which is relatively costly.

    Mr Alexander Kojo Abban, a Deputy Minister of Health, announced this at the 2019 International World Diabetes Day, marked at Apam in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region.

    Read: St. Thomas Eye Hospital organises free eye screening on World Diabetes Day

    He said there were also considerations for certain aspects of the treatment to be covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme.

    The Member of Parliament for the Gomoa West Constituency, however, advised Ghanaians to adopt healthy lifestyles and go for regular medical checkups to ensure the early detection should they get the disease.

    November 14 is observed annually across the world to create awareness on diabetes and how it can be prevented, regulated and easily treated to avert complications.

    The World Health Organisation defines diabetes as a chronic, metabolic disease characterised by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

    It occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

    Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Hyperglycaemia or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

    In 2014, the world health body says 8.5% of adults aged 18 years and older had diabetes, while In 2016, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.6 million deaths.

    In 2012, high blood glucose was the cause of another 2.2 million deaths.

    Mr Abban said unhealthy habits such as poor eating, physical inactivity, alcohol and tobacco use made one susceptible to contracting Type 2 diabetes.

    Type1 diabetes is, however, genetically acquired.

    Mrs Elizabeth Esi Denyoh, President of the National Diabetes Association Ghana, said the awareness creation would not end on the Day because her association would keep liaising with government, stakeholders and other policy makers on better ways of treating the disease.

    Statistics on Diabetes was very worrying so urgent measures were needed to minimise it.

    According to the International Diabetes Federation, there were 518, 400 cases of diabetes in Ghana in 2017.

    She said: “At the moment, Ghana is placed 5th in Africa on the World Diabetes statistics.”
    ” However, the worrying trend is that most diabetics are wrongly diagnosed.”

    In 2017 alone, about 34,000 people were amputated due to severe diabetic conditions.
    Mrs Denyoh said many health workers shunned practising solely in diabetes treatment because there were no incentives.

    However, diabetes could be controlled if there were adequate awareness creation programmes and dedicated treatment from specialised health professionals.

    Read: KATH gets centre of excellence in diabetes care

    She appealed to the government to create a disability fund to assist persons who had been disabled by the disease.

    There should also be foot care centres for treating diabetes of the leg.

    Obotantam Nana Adu Effrim, Chief of Apam Traditional Area, who chaired the event, urged the Government to prioritise the treatment of diabetics because it was a major health condition.

    He promised to do his best as a traditional leader to help create awareness on the disease and urged other traditional rulers, church leaders, Muslim leaders and civil society organisations to help.

    The event brought together stakeholders, including health professionals from across the country, community health students from the College of Community Health Nursing-Winneba, community members and traders.

     

    Source: Ghananewsagency.org