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30.01.2005 General News

HIV/AIDS tops deaths of diseases at TGH

30.01.2005 LISTEN
By GNA

Tema, Jan. 30, GNA -- The dreadful Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) placed first among the top ten causes of deaths at the Tema General Hospital (TGH) recording 149 deaths in 2004 as against 170 in 2003 and 133 in 2002.

Other diseases that fall within the top ten causes of deaths include hypertension, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), anaemia, diabetes, cirrhosis of liver, pneumonia, malaria, septicaemia renal failure and CCR.

Dr. (Mrs) Charity Sarpong, Medical Superintendent in-charge of the hospital who told the GNA in an interview on Saturday at Tema decried the situation and called for the intensification of education on the disease stressing again on the mode of transmission to influence behavioural change to curb the spread of the disease.

She said more talks about the causes and the need to reduce the disease drastically and could help save the lives of productive people so that the nation would be sure of energetic leaders.

On hypertension and CVA, which placed second on the statistical list, the Medical Superintendent said people occasionally go through stressful situation, hence the need to check their blood pressure regularly to know their health status and adopt healthy lifestyle.

Generally, while stressing on regular medical check up to seek expert advice, Dr Sarpong advised the public on regular exercises and paying attention to their lifestyles, particularly the diet which create problems for many people.

She said in 2004, the hospital recorded a total of 130,926 cases of Out Patient Department (OPD) attendance with 29,706 being females and 41,041 males while in 2003, a total record of 129,205 showed 90,203 females and 39,002 males.

The patients reported with diseases such as malaria, skin diseases, pneumonia, oral cavity, intestinal worms, gynaecological disorders, eye infections, and hypertension.

On deliveries, the hospital recorded a total of 4,755 in 2004 as against 4,539 in 2003. She said the hospital is intensifying its education programme on the need for expectant mothers to attend hospital for early detection and solution to complications if any.

The Medical Superintendent stated that last year, 93 patients who attended hospital for treatment and could not settle their bills were declared as paupers so the hospital bore their bills of 5.118,800 million cedis.

Before a patient is declared a pauper the Department of Social Welfare does thorough investigation to ascertain the veracity, she said, and explained that the gesture falls under the exemption policy of the Ministry of Health.

Touching on the National Insurance Health Scheme, Dr. Sarpong said if well implemented, it would be a good replacement for the cash and carry system since many people would have access to quality health care.

She commended the entire staff of the hospital for their hard work, which has contributed to its tremendous achievement.

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