Author: Gloria Addo

Niger has reached a significant milestone in healthcare by becoming the first African country to eliminate onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized Niger for successfully stopping the transmission of the *Onchocerca volvulus* parasite. This achievement places Niger among an elite group of only five countries worldwide that have eradicated the disease. Niger now joins Colombia (2013), Ecuador (2014), Mexico (2015), and Guatemala (2016) as the only nations to have eliminated onchocerciasis. The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, commended Niger’s efforts, highlighting the immense dedication required to achieve such a feat. “I…

A recent study conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) has shown that artificial intelligence (AI) can identify women at an increased risk of developing breast cancer several years before a formal diagnosis. Researchers from FHI, along with experts from the University of California and the University of Washington, analyzed mammograms from 116,495 women who participated in a breast cancer detection program in Norway between 2004 and 2018. Out of these participants, 1,607 were later diagnosed with breast cancer. The AI algorithm was successful in predicting which women were at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, and…

The Upper West Region is grappling with a concerning surge in meningitis cases, with regional health officials confirming that the death toll has reached 10 in January 2025. The number of reported cases has also increased significantly, rising to 30 from 17 earlier in the month. Dr. Damien Punguriye, Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, disclosed these alarming figures during a recent interview on GBC News. He clarified that the reported cases are of meningitis, not cerebrospinal meningitis, stressing the distinction between the two diseases. Health authorities are ramping up surveillance efforts, but Dr. Punguriye identified a major challenge:…

The Chairman of the Ghana Association of Chinese Societies, Tang Hong, has urged stakeholders in healthcare to move forward with a shared commitment to improving health outcomes and advancing medical knowledge in order to build a healthier future at the just-ended AI Healthcare Summit organised by the Health Community of West Africa Association at Tang Palace Hotel in Accra, Ghana. Giving the keynote address at the conference, he indicated that the ongoing cooperation between China and Ghana has included efforts to combat infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. “Both China and Ghana have rich…

Global health experts have called for redefining obesity to improve medical care and reduce stigma, according to a report in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. They propose categorising obesity into clinical obesity—for individuals whose weight causes health issues—and pre-clinical obesity—for those who are “fat but fit” but at risk of disease. The report critiques the current reliance on Body Mass Index (BMI), which measures weight relative to height. While useful for population-level assessments, BMI has significant limitations. It does not distinguish between muscle and fat, nor does it reveal health conditions like heart problems or measure dangerous fat around the…

Dr. Esther Agbozo Yesutor, a medical consultant at EYA Medical, has urged society to stop stigmatizing women for infertility, stressing that the inability to conceive is a shared challenge that often affects both partners in a relationship. Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show, Dr. Yesutor emphasized that infertility is not solely a women’s issue and can frequently stem from male-related factors. “Infertility refers to the inability of a couple to conceive after a year of regular unprotected sex without contraceptives,” Dr. Yesutor explained. She further clarified that the condition can result from challenges faced by either partner, breaking the misconception…

Stakeholders in Ghana’s healthcare sector have made a resounding call for intensified public education and strengthened facility support to address the burden of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its devastating link to cervical cancer. The workshop, organized by Sansure Biotech in collaboration with HCOWA Association, and themed “Enhancing Healthcare: Strengthening HPV Awareness, Screening, and Prevention”, was held last Friday in Accra. It brought together representatives from various organizations, including the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Pharmacy Council, Ministry of Health, Federation of Africa Medical Equipment, International Diabetes Federation of Africa, Health Community of West Africa Association, and Essence Medical Laboratory. Discussions centered…

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Dacosta Aboagye, stated that 40 medical facilities will be offered free government dialysis services because many Ghanaians cannot afford the cost during his talk on Joy News’ AM Show on Monday, November 25. Starting December 1, 2024, 40 medical facilities nationwide will provide free dialysis services to both public and private facilities, as announced by Dr. Aboagye. The NHIA has already included dialysis services in its services, benefiting many Ghanaians struggling with the cost. Earlier this year, a test program for patients under the age of 18 and…

‘Hold up! It’s time to “pee.” Everyone urinates daily, but have you ever considered what makes up urine and how understanding this byproduct of metabolism affects our overall health? Here is what you should know about urine. Urine formation in humans begins in the kidneys, which filter blood plasma. The fluid, containing water and nutrients, is reabsorbed into the bloodstream, leaving concentrated urine in the bladder. Urine consists of water, urea, inorganic salts, creatinine, ammonia, and pigmented breakdown products from blood, giving it a yellowish color. Urine typically has a mild odor, but strong or unusual smells can indicate a…

In a recent interview with Channel One TV, Dr. Samuel Kow Donkor, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, educated the public about the misuse of antibiotics and its adverse effects. The Society has raised concerns about the increasing abuse of antibiotics, which has led to rising resistance to certain drugs, making treatments less effective. Dr. Donkor emphasized the importance of weighing the effectiveness of existing medications against their risks. He advised the public to avoid self-medicating, particularly for diseases like the common cold and malaria. “There is a need for us to protect what we have. We must safeguard…