Nation needs over 48,000 medical doctors

Ghana needs approximately 48,000 medical doctors to have a ratio of  1 doctor to 500 patients to deliver a satisfactory health care service to patients.

 Ghana currently  has 2,700 medical doctors which leaves the country's doctor to patient ratio of 1 to 10,000.

"It is a fact that we need 48,567 doctors to have a ratio of 1 doctor to 500 patients,” Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, disclosed  at a ceremony in Accra.

Speaking under the topic; 'Improving Quality of Healthcare Delivery and Patient Safety in Ghana,', Prof.Frimpong-Boateng said: “System failure is responsible for the country's poor healthcare delivery."

He explained that the country's is technologically challenged which would have a resultant effect on the  nation’s healthcare system.


The formal Chief Executive Officer of the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital explained that quality data gathering, error in documentation in hospitals among others, are part of factors militating against quality health delivery.

 “There is no tertiary referral hospital in Ghana. We have no facility that is adequately resourced in terms of infrastructure, equipment and manpower that can tackle almost all medical problems.’’
 
The health forum which was convened by Dr. Joseph Boateng, a Physician Specialist, with participants drawn from public and private sector medical practitioners , academia, among others.

The event was also graced by the Minister of Health; Sherry Ayitey, Prof Agyeman Badu Akosa, a Pathology, and Dr. Eli Atikpui, Registrar at the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana.

16 Children Benefit From Free Open Heart Surgery At KATH

A team of 32 open heart surgeons from the Children’s Hospital, Boston (CHB) of the Harvard University in the United States of America (USA), in collaboration with doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, has successfully performed open heart surgeries for 16 children suffering from cardiovascular diseases. The surgeries, which were performed free of charge, bring to 105 the number of children with congenial heart defects who have so far benefited from the gesture since the team started its collaboration with KATH eight years ago. According to the Leader of the team, Professor Francis Fynn-Thompson, 105 children aged eight months to 11 years were screened when the team arrived in Kumasi barely two weeks ago. He explained that the 16 were selected for surgery because of their conditions and that each of them would have paid between GH¢10,000 and GH¢12,000 as cost for the open heart surgery. “The surgeries were very successful and so far 11 out of the 16 have fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital,” he noted. He said the team would leave for the USA today but their counterparts at KATH would monitor the progress of those still on admission until they were discharged. Dr Fynn-Thompson, who is a Ghanaian, said the team’s next visit to perform a similar exercise would be in October next year, adding that to make the exercise sustainable, patients might have to pay a token for the open heart surgery. “In future patients have to pay a token because you cannot have a cardio centre that does not generate money,” he explained. Mr Winfred Kofi Wogblegbe, whose son benefited from the gesture, was full of praise for the surgeons. He told the Daily Graphic that his son suffered from hole–in-heart and got tired easily. “I did not pay a pesewa to correct my son’s heart defect and I thank the team from the USA and their Ghanaian counterparts very much,” he said. He said his son was recovering speedily and expressed the hope that he would be discharged soon.

Source: Daily Graphic

Sexual Abuse In Schools

Child sexual abuse is one of the common violence spearheading the country now, a human rights violation affecting all age groups within the childhood period globally which rules the life of our future leaders, this has prompted plan Ghana and the  International Non-Governmental Child Centered Community Development Organization to have a global campaign dubbed “Lean Without Fear” to create safer school environment for children.

Launched at the Ghana International  Press Center in Accra with the media on how to elaborate issue.

Mr.George Cobbinah Yorke the advocacy and  governance advisor of Plan Ghana revealed that in march 2009, a study was conducted in the upper Manya and Awutu Senya district within eight communities (Bontrase, Papaase, Obranchire, Essuekyir, Asesewa, Akateng, Fefe and Mensah Dawa) to have in-depth understanding of problem of child sexual abuse in schools in Ghana.

He said the research shown that, most of the basic and secondary children between the ages of 10-17 years in the district have adequate knowledge of sexual abuse,96% of school children perceive girls to be more vulnerable to sexual abuse than boys.

He stated that 14% of school children have been sexually abused in a ratio of 11:9,children aged 14-16 years are more at risk of sexual abuse, 67% of the victims of child abuse are in Senior High School (SHS),28% in Junior High School  and 5% in the primary school,53% of this sexual abuse occur in schools and 47% happens at home which make school children to feel safer at home than in school.

He went on to stress on the types and forms of sexual abuse, contact and non-contact of abuse which include, giving sexual note or messages (48%),requests for sexual favors (46%), unwelcome sexual advances or attacks (43%),fondle, touch, grab or pinch in a sexual way(42%) the rest are shown or given sexual photographs(32%),sexual motivated physical contact(26%) and (15%) have actual sex.

He noted that, main perpetrators of child abuse are classmate(89%),female friends(52%), male friends (37%), neighbors (36%),teachers (21%), other adult in the community (14%) and relatives (13%), (36%) of male victims are sexual abuse by males, while (20%) of female victims are abused by males.

He further explained that, the main cause which is poverty recording (35%), sexual  pleasure (12%), lack of parental control and care and influence from peers recorded (10%) respectively. He said (100%) of victims who are girls do not enjoy school again, (73%) become afraid of perpetrators and are unable to concentrate on their studies after sexual abuse anytime they see the perpetrators.

He said all these forms of abuse are not reported, only (30%) of victims report incident to someone, (45%) mostly tell their friends, (20%) tell parents, (12%) tell relatives, (7%) tell teachers and (2%) tell the police,(70%) of victims do not tell anyone about the incident and must report this cases immediately he advised.

He said the plan Ghana will advocate campaign for the enforcement of legislation, alleviation of household poverty, scale up the school guidance and counseling service and strengthen institution to mandate and address sexual abuse. He then called on parents, teachers, friends, police and the individuals to help end violence against children, Act Now!!!

 

Private universities call for review of affiliation process

The President of Ashesi University College, Dr Patrick Awuah, has appealed to National Accreditation Board (NAB) to review the current affiliation process which he said is skewed against private universities.

He said it is unfair for private universities to undergo 10 years of affiliation with a public university before they can award their own degrees while newly established public universities are exempted from such a process.

Dr Awuah was speaking at the 2013 Founder’s Week Celebrations of Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) in Accra.

The Founder’s Week Celebration which is on theme: “Education for national development,” was attended by people from the academia as well as the public.

Dr Awuah who spoke on the topic: “Widening access to Tertiary Education: The Mix of public and Private Participation” stated that in 2002 the number of years that a private university would have to affiliate with a public university was four years however in 2010 the law was changed to extend the period to 10 years.

He noted that if the NAB has a problem with the performance of students from a particular private university and had to be supervised by the external lecturers those schools have to be isolated and dealt with.

He said the NAB cannot lump all private universities together and use one measure to judge them.

Dr Awuah also appealed for public support to the private universities since the parents of students who attend the facilities contribute towards the Ghana Education Trust Fund.

He called for practical educational system that allows the students to be creative and apply the things they have learnt.

He noted that Africa is being consumed by corruption there is the need to train the next generation of leaders in good moral principles and selflessness.

Professor Ernest Aryeetey, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana who spoke on the topic: “Addressing the funding challenges in Ghana’s Tertiary Education,” called on the public university managers to device creative means to raise funds to undertake research and other programmes.
According to him, the increasing reliance on the country’s development partners and donors for a long time could create problems for public universities in terms of their development and operations.

He appealed to government to increase the amount money that goes into investments to enable public universities undertake development projects on campus to absorb the growing student population

Avoid fake herbal product called ‘HEPA 3’ – FDA warns

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned the general public not to patronize a fake herbal medicine known as ‘HEPA 3'.

A press statement issued by the Authority explained that medicine which is purported to treat Hepatitis B, Typhoid fever and other immune-compromised conditions is “misleading” as one medication cannot treat all the above mentioned diseases and infections.

The statement also indicated that the medicine has not been registered with the FDA therefore, the manufacturers and distributors have been arrested by the Kumasi Police.


Below is the full statement from the FDA

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) wishes to bring to the attention of the general public, the distribution and sale of a fake herbal medicine, HEPA 3. The FDA has not registered HEPA 3 as being claimed by the manufacturer.

According to the manufacturers of HEPA 3, Dr Akosua Adu-Ayaa and Akomea Sakyi who operate a herbal clinic/manufacturing facility at Chirapatre called Power Specialist Clinic / Power Health Products Limited, HEPA 3 is supposed to treat Hepatitis B, Typhoid fever and other immune- compromised conditions.

The Food and Drugs Authority wishes to advice the general public not to patronize HEPA 3 because it cannot treat Hepatitis B infection, Moreover, Hepatitis B infection is a viral disease whilst Typhoid fever is caused by salmonella bacteria. One product cannot therefore treat the two disease conditions.

Hepatitis B infection can lead to life-threatening complications like Impairment of the liver (reduced ability of the liver to function), liver failure and an increased risk of developing liver cancer. Hepatitis B infection can also cause kidney problems that may lead eventually to kidney failure.

In view of the seriousness of the above complications, it is unacceptable for anyone to mislead the public that he/she has a cure for Hepatitis B when actually that is not true.

Meanwhile Dr. Akosua Adu-Ayaa and Akomea Sakyi, manufacturers and distributors of HEPA 3 have been arrested by the Kumasi police.

The public is entreated to report anyone found selling HEPA 3 to the nearest FDA office or the Police.

Additionally, information from the general public on persons in any practice possible of endangering public health and safety with respect to FDA’s mandate is most welcomed through any of the following contact numbers; 0244337235, 0544338829, 0246809509 or 054486341W

Signed

DR STENPHEN K. OPUNI CHIEF EXECUTIVE

source: citifm

Upper East Curbs Female Genital Mutilation

    

The Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, in collaboration with the Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs), are to come out with strategies to curb Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practiced in some parts of the Region. The Council said it would put in place measures to deter parents from sending their babies and daughters to neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso and Togo to engage in the act. “The Assembly members of the various MDAs will be tasked to sensitize parents to stop this barbaric act. We cannot allow this in this 21st century,” the Upper East Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Daniel Syme, said. He said this when stakeholders including heads of department and Civil Society Organizations raised the concern at a regional mid-year cross sector review meeting organised by UNICEF and the UERCC in Bolgatanga on Tuesday. The participants said FGM was common in the Pusiga District, Bawku Municipal, the Bawku West and the Kessena-Nankana West districts which share borders with Togo and Burkina Faso, as parents often cross with their babies and daughters to have their genital organs mutilated. Dr Syme said it was a crime under the laws of Ghana to engage in such negative cultural practices and that parents who would be found indulging in it and their accomplices would not be spared when caught. The participants suggested examination of children at health facilities to know whether they had been taken through FGM as part of measures to halt it. They also suggested that teachers should constantly check girls’ attendance at school because some parents take their daughters out of school to be genitally mutilated. Ms Clara Dube, Chief Field Officer of UNICEF at the Tamale office, expressed worry about parents in the Region who give out their daughters for early marriages and said statistics showed that 39 per cent of females in the Upper East Region were given out for marriage before age 18 years. She said one of the major causes of complication in child birth could be attributed to early marriages and appealed to parents not to endanger the lives of their daughters by giving them out for marriage before 18 years. Ms Rubby Anang, Chief Field Officer of UNICEF in charge of Child Protection Network, appealed to stakeholders particularly members of the Upper East Child Protection Network to sensitize parents on their roles and responsibilities in the upbringing of their children.

Source: GNA

Ghana To Gain US$500million From Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)

Ghana is likely to access approximately US$500million from the second phase of the Millennium Challenge Account compact by the middle of 2014.
 

Out-going Country Director of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Katrina Ntep, told journalists in Accra that discussions on the compact are currently ongoing and she hopes the programme will be very well-formed by the end of this year to pave the way for the signing and official launch by mid-2014.

The second phase of the compact, will finance the country’s irregular and insufficient power supply. The grant will be targetted at enhancing the distribution system, effecting institutional changes and creating a Power Park to boost energy consumption said Ms. Ntep.

“The country needs to improve the distribution system and make institutional changes at all stages within the power sector. Everybody is familiar with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)’s performance. I think something can be done to support and incentivise institutional changes to improve business processes and reduce losses from lack of collection -- or there can be systems to identify theft more easily.”

She said Ghana is one of two countries that have been eligible for the grant since 2004 on a continuous basis, and the country’s performance and indicators continue to be strong.

“I know that there are challenges at the national level, but when you compare Ghana’s performance to other countries’ performances, Ghana is very strong,” she said.

In November, Government submitted a concept-paper proposal to the Board of Directors of the MCC to support power generation and distribution in the country.

Ms. Ntep said, currently, a team of US technical experts are engaging with Government and finalising plans for the second phase.

She observed that the power sector is a high-risk area, and that the MCC is interested in investing into high-risk ventures with high rewards -- as in the case of the power sector, because it impacts all sectors of the economy and more Ghanaians are expected to benefit.

Ghana’s demand for power is growing at around 10 percent per annum, spurred by robust economic growth and rising consumption. 

Healthy guidelines for People Suffering from Peptic Ulcer Diseases(PUD)

Peptic ulcers also known as Peptic ulcer diseases (PUD) or Stomach ulcer ,  are located in the stomach and the duodenum, can occur at any age and affect both men and women. Untreated, sufferers can look forward to a long blockade with them.

But today's peptic ulcer sufferers have a brighter prospect for relief than did those of even a single generation ago. There is now less than 1 chance in 18 that surgery will ever be necessary and new medications act faster and better and offer more relief than ever before.

 Ulcer is an open sore, often infected. It is believed to have occurred due to an infection by a bacterium known as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

 This sore is in the stomach or the duodenum, (the first part of the intestine leading from the stomach) the part of the intestines which connects with the stomach.

Signs & symptoms
The warning sign of active ulcers you will most likely experience (if you get any warning at all) is a gnawing discomfort in the middle or upper abdomen that typically comes between meals or in the middle of the night.

Food or liquids, including antacids and milk, can provide some temporary relief, but milk might not be all that good a remedy since it stimulates production of hydrochloric acid and other digestive juices which further aggravates the pain.

The most common symptom of ulcers is an intense burning sensation below the breastbone, which is typically felt between 1-3 hours after meals. The pain can be intense enough to cause its' victim to awaken during the night with an excruciating internal burning sensation. It could cause headaches, nausea and/or vomiting.

Often severe heartburn in evident. It's possible that a Peptic Ulcer could develop symptoms such as dark tar-like stools or spitting up blood.

These advanced symptoms may be indicative of gastro-intestinal bleeding and should be immediately addressed by your doctor. Bleeding ulcers are potentially life-threatening and are to be considered a medical emergency.

• Constant pain in the abdomen - which mainly is a duodenal symptom. This pain occurs within one or two hours after meals and also when the stomach is empty. This pain lasts for several minutes or hours and you can get relief by eating or having any antacid medicines.

• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and losing weight in the same process is another sign.

Proper nutrition for gastritis and peptic ulcers – less is more!

In our fast paced world, we pay less and less attention to good nutrition and getting in the right amount of vitamins and trace elements (due to the growing fast food mentality and a wealth of ready-to-eat items in the supermarket).

If you add nicotine (smoking) and excessive alcohol consumption to the mix, and throw in some consistent and unresolved stress, an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract is not at all surprising. A weakened immune system is often not up to the task of fighting off the bacteria which can then find an ideal environment in the digestive system and cause gastritis and ulcers.

Nutritional advice for people suffering from gastritis or ulcers of the digestive tract

To prevent and treat gastritis and peptic ulcers, a light and wholesome diet is best. This differs from a normally wholesome and balanced diet in that some foods and drinks which may strain the digestive system are left out.

Beverages to be avoided if you have gastritis or peptic ulcers
alcohol, coffee, carbonated drinks like mineral water or colas, lemonade and any drinks served very cold.

Foods to be avoided if you have gastritis or peptic ulcers

Milk products
A proper diet for the treatment of gastritis or ulcers should not include whole milk, cream or sour cream with a fat content of over 20% as well as any fermented milk products. In addition you should avoid high-fat cheeses (over 45%) and blue cheese (ripened) varieties such as Gorgonzola, Roquefort and Camembert.

Meats
For those who suffer with gastritis or peptic ulcers (and anyone who wants to be more healthy) fatty, smoked or cured meats should be left out of the diet. Additionally spicy roasted meats, meats prepared along with bacon, naturally high-fat meats like goose or duck, and higher-fat animal parts in general (e.g. skin) as well as any type of sausage should all be avoided.

Fish
Types of fish like eel, herring and salmon as well as smoked fish of any sort, dried or otherwise preserved fish or fish products should not be consumed if you have gastritis or peptic ulcers.

Fruits and Nuts
Good nutrition for gastritis and ulcer sufferers does not include unripe fruit, raw drupes (i.e. fruits with a pit like cherries and plums), nuts of any kind as well as almonds and pistachios and avocados.

Likewise candy, sweets and sugar in general should not be part of your diet if you have gastritis and/or an ulcer as well as spices, especially those which have been dried or are in powdered form.

Potatoes and vegetables
Avoid any potato dishes which have been prepared using oil, including chips (French fries, pommes frites, wedges, etc.) and crisps (i.e. potato chips) if you have gastritis or an ulcer (and in general).

Also potato salad containing bacon, mayonnaise or excessive oil should not be part of your diet. There are also several types of vegetable which are difficult to digest: cabbage, leeks, onions, mushrooms, peppers, olives, pickles, cucumber, horseradish and beans. These should be left out of your diet, as well as any vegetable salads which have mayonnaise or other sauces which are high in fat.

Bread and baked goods
Eliminate fresh bread and baked goods as well as coarse whole grain bread, fresh pastries, high-fat baked goods like éclairs and doughnuts from the diet if you currently have gastritis or ulcers (as well as after the symptoms have subsided).

peptic ulcers
All fats foods should be avoid (including high-fat soups or sauces) both during and after your gastritis/ulcer treatment. Hard-cooked eggs and any other high-fat food which contains eggs (such as mayonnaise) should not be part of your diet. Don't eat roasted, fried or grilled foods and avoid foods which were prepared using bacon or onion.

What you can and should eat and drink during and after treating gastritis and/or a peptic ulcer

If you suffer with gastritis, it's a good idea to eat foods that you can tolerate; i.e. foods and drinks which do not lead to diarrhoea, the build-up of uncomfortable gas, abdominal pain or nausea. You should also avoid foods that cause you to feel too full or cause heartburn (pyrosis).

This includes light wholesome foods which are low in fat, mild in taste, lean and properly prepared. Dairy products such as yoghurt are effective against gastritis as they inhibit the reproduction of the H. pylori bacteria. There's no need to limit your intake of quality bread and baked goods if you suffer from gastritis.

Easily digestible vegetables such as carrots, fennel, turnips, cauliflower, green peas, beans, tomatoes, zucchini and green leafy salad. For seasoning you should try to include freshly dried spices, mild vinegar (e.g. balsamic), lemon juice and a little salt. Jams, marmalades and honey are the best sweeteners.

If you have sweet tooth and suffer from gastritis, it's best to avoid refined baked goods and stick with whole-grain or fruit cakes (without whipped toppings or frosting) and cookies. For the preparation of your food we recommend boiling, steaming or baking in foil. Use a ceramic saucepan or a coated non-stick pan or saucepan. The oven or microwave are both suitable depending on the container you're using, but remember to avoid using fats.

The optimal drinks include any sort of tea, mild coffee, grain coffee, mineral water without gas, vegetable juices as well as diluted fruit juices.

Please keep in mind that a more wholesome diet such as the one outlined above does not have a direct therapeutic effect in the treatment of gastritis or ulcers, rather it is more tolerable for the digestive system and so easier to metabolise.

In addition, food sensitivities can vary greatly from person to person. Initially when you adopt such a new diet, you may suffer with a bit of gas or other digestive problems. We advise that you consult your physician and/or a qualified nutritionist. It's also very important to remember that a reduction in stress as well as a balanced lifestyle which includes some physical activity are essential in the treatment of such disorders of the digestive system.

Five important diet tips for gastritis / peptic ulcer sufferers

1. Eat several small meals rather than a few large meals.

2. Try to take your time when you eat – don't rush!

3. Chew thoroughly.

4. Avoid eating foods that are either too hot or too cold.

5. Regularly take s vitamin supplement, in particular vitamin B12, and detoxify the digestive system. In addition, fasting (e.g. juice fasting) can be beneficial for the body as natural vitamins and minerals can better be absorbed without the strain placed on the stomach by carbohydrates.