Check your health status regularly… Non-communicable diseases show no symptoms – Health expert
Professor Peter Lamptey (inset) making his presentation while
the audience listen attentively
A professor in Global Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs) at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine- England, Professor Peter Lamptey, has noted that issues on NCDs must be addressed both nationally and internationally, especially through financial support in order to curb the risk of increase.
He stated that Africa was currently experiencing a triple disease burden; endemic and epidemic, current and future pandemic (HIV, COVID) and lastly the explosive burden of NCDs thus the situation would worsen if immediate measures were not taken.
Professor Lamptey on Wednesday, at the 2023 Harvard University Joseph S. Agyepong Distinguished Lecture on Public Health in Africa at the University of Ghana- Legon, in Accra.
The professor was speaking on the topic: “Combatting Non Communicable Diseases: Africa’s Greatest Health Challenges.”
Despite the fact that NCDs were not transmissible, he noted that some were caused by infections such as gastric and cervical cancers amongst others, adding that Ghanaians must give it the requisite attention.
He mentioned some underlining risk factors of NCDs such as the usage of tobacco, unhealthy diet, the harmful use of alcohol, air pollution and insufficient physical activities.
“Looking at the long exposure of NCDs it is unlikely for one to recover as compared with someone infected with communicable diseases such as COVID-19 or HIV,” he said.
Again, Professor Lamptey cited some cultural perceptions and negligence of Ghanaians that impeded public health workers while discharging their duties in the prevention of NCDs.
He advised that people should regularly check their health status by visiting health facilities “since NCDs did not exhibit any symptoms and it could take decades before patients could identify the symptoms.”
He further said that people who presumed to be healthier because they felt and looked well, should be careful
Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong and his wife, Adelaide Siaw Agyepong donated GHc500, 000 to support NCDs advocacy in Ghana.
This was due to the fact that not much money had been committed towards the education of the general public to trigger behavioural change.
The 4th edition of the annual lecture, co-hosted by the Harvard University CAS, formed part of activities of the University of Ghana’s 75th Anniversary.
On her part, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said the University looked forward to pragmatic measures which could address NCDs from an African perspective.
By Yunusah Essandoh
