Academy Of Arts And Sciences Holds Workshop

The Acting Director, Policy Planning and Evaluation of the Ministry of Health, Mr George Nyanpkala, has stated that Ghana has concentrated on the curative services of chronic diseases instead of prevention methods which is the main mandate of the Ministry of Health.

He was speaking at the Opening Session of a two-day International Conference organised by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) in collaboration with the British Academy and the Royal Society on the theme, 'Africa's Neglected Epidemic: Multidisciplinary Research and Intervention for Chronic Diseases in Africa, in Accra.'

Mr Nyanpkala said it is a good thing that the academy is in place and hopes that the meeting will drive towards research into re-generative health services and programmes, adding that the government notices a good collection of the academia to deliberate on issues concerning one of our neglected areas which is the health sector.

Prof Sir Magdi  Yacoub, a Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Imperial College, London, in a keynote address said chronic non communicable diseases (CNCDs) account for about 60% of deaths worldwide and this brings about a loss of 148 million quality adjusted life years (QUALY's) and a huge economic impact.

He observed that in Africa there are so many other neglected diseases which have caused massive problems, therefore, the need to put in place tailored measures to check the spread of Chronic Diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, stroke and cancer.

Prof Yacoub advised that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should join forces with Government Agencies so as to create a Global Network.