Implement the Ghana School Health Policy

Kumasi, June 3, GNA, Dr (Mrs) Gyakua Plange-Rhule, Head of the Child Department of the School of Medical Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has called for the implementation of the Ghana School health education policy without further delay.

This, she said, would pave way for health professionals to visit schools regularly and educate the children on prevention of some common diseases.

Dr (Mrs) Plange-Rhule was leading a discussion on "Child care policies in Ghana and their effects on Child Survival" as part of the 13th Annual Congress of the District Directors of Health Group in Kumasi.

She wondered why the policy, approved years back by Parliament, had as yet not been implemented and said, "it can no longer wait".

Dr Mary Nana Ama Brentuo, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative in Ghana, expressed concern about the continued reliance on self-medication by most people in the country.

The practice, she said, was unhealthy and must be checked to help avoid health complications.

She called for active community involvement in health care programmes, saying, it was necessary if quality health delivery is to be achieved.

Dr (Mrs) Irene Akua Amarteifio, Greater Accra Regional Director of Health Services, called for more attention to be given to girl-child education, pointing out that, this could be one of the effective ways of enhancing the health status of women in the country.