HIGH RATE OF DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION

Statistics available to Adom Kasiebo indicates that Diabetes and High Blood Pressure are on the increase among Ghanaians.
The Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Services (GHS), Dr. George Amofa who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Adom Kasiebo explained that this is due to high intake of fatty foods, lack of physical exercise while some cases are hereditary.
Diabetes could be threatening the lives of some 50 per cent of patients in Ghana .
At least 2.2 million Ghanaians already suffer from the disease. Diabetes is a long-term, chronic condition that can lead to a number of potentially serious, life-threatening complications. These include amputation, impotence, stroke, heart attack and blindness.
Dr. Amofa also explained that Blood pressure is the force of blood that is pushing up against the walls of the blood vessels. If the pressure is too high, the heart has to work harder to pump, and this could lead to organ damage and several illnesses such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or renal failure.
Dr. Amofa therefore stressed the need for people to go for regular medical check-ups to know their health status.
He spoke to Akuamoah Boateng.

CUE IN: DIAPH

That was the Director of Public Health Services, Dr. George Amofa.