$110m to fight non-communicable diseases insufficient – Allied Health Professionals to government

Chair of the Ghana Federation of Allied Health Professionals, Dr. Shiraz Issahaku has appealed to government to commit more resources toward non-communicable diseases describing the proposed $110 million allocation as insignificant to create any meaningful change.

Speaking on 505 on Class91.3FM on Tuesday, 12 April 2022, Dr Issahaku expressed dissatisfaction with plans by the government to commit $110 million for a period of five years toward non-communicable diseases.

He said: “What the minister mentioned I don’t think is significant to change anything in the health sector because he’s talking about five good years…in cancer establishment and its management, you need much more…we expect the country to do much better than it is doing now…”

He added that “a healthy nation is what we expect, lets invest in the health sector and it breaks my heart when we lose lives because certain basic things are not available and we spend money on what I call non-essentials, so we expect government to sit up and know that the health of the nation depends on the investment in the sector…”

Meanwhile, the International Strategic Dialogue Meeting on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) opened in Accra on Tuesday, 12 April 2022.

Speaking at the event, Ghana’s First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo said despite the fact that Ghana has made some strides combatting infectious diseases “we need to take a critical look at non-communicable diseases, especially cancer which typically invokes fear and helplessness.”

She advised that to prevent and detect non-communicable diseases early, “we need to step up education, targeting improved awareness, prompt screening, early diagnosis and treatment by trained professionals.”

“We also need to promote periodic regular check-ups, whilst encouraging better lifestyle choices,” she added.

Source: Classfmonline.com