A total of 410 stroke mortality were recorded in the Eastern Region in 2019.

Hypertension was also ranked second with 209 deaths out of 2,000 deaths, which were recorded in the region within the year under review.

For three consecutive years, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) has topped the death list with stroke as the main underlying cause in the region between 2017 and 2019.

This was revealed by the New Juaben North Municipal Health Director, Mrs Nana Yaa Konadu Gyesaw on a sideline interview during a press encounter to commemorate this year’s World Heart Day.

The media briefing was organised by the Stroke Association Support Network (SASNET) on the theme; “Prioritising CVD and stroke prevention and control as part of measures towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and to protect the health of Ghanaians now and beyond COVID-19 era”. 

Mr Konadu Gyesaw said the Out Patient Departments (OPDs) of various hospitals within the region recorded 7,975 cases of cardiovascular diseases in 2017 while in 2018, 8,628 cases were recorded and 9,706 cases also recorded in 2019.

She said the rate at which CVD related deaths, particularly stroke had continued to be on the ascendency in the region must be the cause of concern to all stakeholders. 

“We can help save our own lives by avoiding fatty foods, eating in the night, smoking, excessive intake of alcohol and cultivate the habit of frequent exercise and drinking enough water to keep our bodies healthy. 

“Our health must be a major concern to all of us because in the past, it was only adults who got stroke but now, children between the ages of eight and 10 are also contracting stroke”, she said.

Mrs Juliet Anaglo, speaking on behalf of the president of SASNET, Chief Dr Ben Jabuni called on the government to treat cardiovascular diseases and stroke as an emergency public health and develop policies to put CVD and stroke high on the political agenda. 

The Eastern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Health, Mr Emmanuel Kwafo Mintah also called on the Ministry of Health (MoH) to intensify education and sensitisation on healthy lifestyles and encourage the adoption of regenerative health practices to boost their systems.

He urged the government to enforce the tobacco control legislation, and institute free cervical cancer screening across the country.

From: David Kodjo, Koforidua.