Author: Priscilla Akorfa Fomevor

Many people walk out of a doctor’s office believing one dangerous falsehood. They think their vaccination against meningitis closes the door on every possible cause of the disease. That belief could prove deadly. The myth states that vaccines protect against all types of meningitis. The fact tells a different story. Vaccines offer the strongest defense medicine can provide, but they do not cover every strain of bacteria, virus or fungus that leads to meningitis. Here is what every parent, traveler and young adult needs to understand. Scientists have developed highly effective vaccines for specific high-risk pathogens. One set targets meningococcal…

Bernice Boateng, Public health Nurse at Oda Government Hospital Intro: Meningitis is inflammation around the brain and spinal cord. The three main types—bacterial, viral, and fungal—differ in how fast they start, how sick a person becomes, who is at risk, and what treatment is needed. This interview with Nurse Bernice Boateng seeks to explain those differences in simple, practical terms so one can understand what causes them, how fast they come on, what symptoms to expect, and why some are much more dangerous than others. Q1: What exactly causes bacterial meningitis, and viral meningitis? Are they contagious in the same…

By Samuel Boye Hinson, Medical Lab, Scientist In the grand theatre of infectious diseases, malaria remains one of the most persistent adversaries—an uninvited guest that refuses to leave. Despite decades of global effort, it continues to pose a major public health challenge, particularly across tropical and subtropical regions. Yet, while the disease adapts, so too does science. Today, the fight against malaria is increasingly being shaped by advances in health technology, offering new hope in the battle against this age-old threat. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Among the five species…

The World Health Organization has approved the first malaria treatment specifically designed for newborns and very young infants, closing a decades-old gap in care that has left the most vulnerable patients reliant on crushed adult pills and imprecise dosing. The newly approved drug, artemether-lumefantrine, is authorized for babies weighing between two and five kilograms— typically from birth to around three months of age, an age group that has long been overlooked in malaria care. Until now, health workers had no dedicated formulation for this age group. Infants with malaria were treated using crushed tablets or syrups intended for older children,…

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has incorporated breast cancer screening into its benefits package under the newly introduced Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) policy, a move officials say will shift the focus of Ghana’s health system from treatment toward prevention. The move is expected to improve early detection and reduce mortality associated with breast cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana. The announcement was made by the NHIA’s Director of Operations, Miriam Musah, during a courtesy visit by the Ghana Cancer ImPACT Review Mission Team at the Authority’s head office in Accra. The delegation,…

The Health Community of West Africa Association played a central role in a high-level Liaoning–Ghana Economic and Trade Exchange Meeting held on Friday, 24th April, at GS Plaza Hotel in Accra 2026 bringing together government officials, health sector regulators and industry leaders to deepen cooperation in healthcare innovation, trade, and industrial development between Ghana and Liaoning Province of China. The meeting formed part of a broader push to strengthen sub-national collaboration under Ghana–China relations, with a strong emphasis on health systems development, pharmaceutical manufacturing and investment-led industrial transformation. The meeting opened with remarks from Mr. Pang Baoguo, Chairman of the…

The Health Community of West Africa Association stepped into the international spotlight on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Liaoning–Ghana Economic and Trade Exchange Meeting held at GS Plaza Hotel in Accra, where it played a key role in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Ghana International Joint Research and Innovation Center for Health—an initiative poised to reshape healthcare delivery and innovation across West Africa. The event convened government representatives, business leaders, and key stakeholders from both Ghana and China’s Liaoning Province, including the Ghana Traditional Medicine Practice Council and the Health Industry Branch of the…

Memory problems are often associated with aging, but when cognitive decline becomes persistent or begins to interfere with daily functioning, it may signal an underlying neurological condition. Among these, dementia and Parkinson’s disease are closely linked in ways that are often overlooked, especially as both can involve progressive changes in cognition and mental health. Cognitive impairment refers to difficulties with memory, attention, language, and reasoning. It may present subtly at first—such as forgetting recent conversations, misplacing items, or struggling with concentration. While mild cognitive impairment does not always progress, it can be an early warning sign of more serious conditions,…

Parkinson’s disease is often misunderstood, and one of the most common myths is that it is always inherited. While genetics can play a role, the reality is far more complex. Understanding the true causes of Parkinson’s disease can help reduce stigma, encourage early detection, and promote better health choices. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, leading to symptoms such as tremors, stiffness and slowed coordination. Because some families have multiple members diagnosed with the condition, many people assume it is purely genetic. However, research shows that this is not entirely accurate. In fact, only about 15%…

By Ethel Selasi Dei, Occupational Therapist A man reaches for a cup of water and notices a slight tremor in his hand. It is small, almost unnoticeable, and easy to ignore. Days pass, and movements that once felt effortless begin to require more intention. His steps slow, his posture stiffens, and his voice grows quieter. To those around him, it may seem like a natural part of aging, something to be endured rather than questioned. Yet these subtle, progressive changes may be the early signs of Parkinson’s disease a condition that often begins quietly but carries serious implications over time.…