Amenin Asare, a 58-year-old man, is battling hypertension, a condition that has drastically changed his life since October 15, 2017. "One day when the offering was due at church, I tried to take money out of my pocket, but I was unable to do so.
I became aware that there was a malfunctioning component of my body. One leg and the area around my face hurt. I was admitted to Mab Hospital before I realised." He quit his job as general manager and record keeper at a friend's nappy wholesale and retail business due to his health. "I can't walk very far.
This means I'm unable to report to work. I survive on the kindness of others, but it wasn't enough, so I had to sell my plot and container to pay for the prescription drugs that doctors had prescribed
." The father of three found his condition even more distressing when his spouse, who was also his child's mother, left him because of the toll the illness was taking on him. "I fear for my life and this breaks my heart." Without my kids, I can't picture my existence," he bemoaned. For the 58-year-old guy to attend physical treatment, he needs assistance.
"I need help so that I can go to physiotherapy so that I can walk normally and return to work." High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious global health issue. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that it is the primary cause of death globally. Of the 11 disorders that led to the greatest number of deaths in Ghana in 2022, hypertension was the most common.
The Births and Deaths Registry published a report that included this concerning statistic. The study noted that 18,689 of the 50,992 recorded deaths, or 36.7% of all deaths, were linked to the top 11 causes of mortality. In terms of fatalities, hypertension accounted for 2,573 deaths.
Acute respiratory failure (2,203 deaths), heart failure (2,225 deaths), and pneumonia (2,457 deaths) followed closely. An additional 1,679 deaths were attributed to stroke, 1,578 deaths to diabetes, 1,558 deaths to severe sepsis, 1,401 deaths to septic shock, 1,103 deaths from chronic liver disease, 1,036 deaths from cancer, and 876 deaths from cerebrovascular illnesses.
The man's experience highlights the human cost of this public health emergency and emphasises the need for more understanding and assistance for individuals dealing with hypertension. His predicament serves as an example of the wider effects of this fatal illness on both individuals and families, as he battles with both his health and the psychological toll of his family's separation.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise in Accra and throughout Ghana; among the most common causes of death for the elderly and middle-aged in the capital city are cardiovascular conditions associated with hypertension. Dr. Abena Okoh, the Metropolitan Director of Health Services, revealed that leading an unhealthy lifestyle is a major contributor to chronic illnesses, such as hypertension. "
Those who do not engage in physical activity, as well as those who consume excessive amounts of salt, fats, and oils in their diet, are at risk of developing hypertension due to these risk factors."
To give an example, Dr. Okoh said that for three years in a row, from 2021 to 2023, hypertension was the fifth leading cause of death in Accra Metropolis. During this time, 38,826 cases of hypertension were reported to Accra's medical institutions. According to the health director, there were 12,451 instances in 2021, 12,671 cases in 2022, and 13,704 cases in 2023. "Here in Accra, hypertension has continued to rise over time.
Many people with hypertension stroll around town without realising it. She stated that asthma came in second on the log, with 1,364 cases in 2021, 2,112 cases in 2022, and 1,661 cases in 2023. After reporting 418 cases in 2021 and 249 cases in 2022, cardiac disorders came in sixth.
Stroke is also considered a potentially fatal illness by the Accra Metro Health Directorate; 187 instances were reported in 2021 and 304 in 2022. Dr. Okoh gave reassurance that if communities and legislators implemented the appropriate policies to inform the people about ways to lower their risk, many fatalities from non-communicable diseases might be avoided.
Amenin Asare, a 58-year-old man, is battling hypertension, a condition that has drastically changed his life since October 15, 2017. "One day when the offering was due at church, I tried to take money out of my pocket, but I was unable to do so.
I became aware that there was a malfunctioning component of my body. One leg and the area around my face hurt. I was admitted to Mab Hospital before I realised." He quit his job as general manager and record keeper at a friend's nappy wholesale and retail business due to his health. "I can't walk very far.
his means I'm unable to report to work. I survive on the kindness of others, but it wasn't enough, so I had to sell my plot and container to pay for the prescription drugs that doctors had prescribed." The father of three found his condition even more distressing when his spouse, who was also his child's mother, left him because of the toll the illness was taking on him.
"I fear for my life and this breaks my heart." Without my kids, I can't picture my existence," he bemoaned. For the 58-year-old guy to attend physical treatment, he needs assistance. "I need help so that I can go to physiotherapy so that I can walk normally and return to work.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious global health issue. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that it is the primary cause of death globally. Of the 11 disorders that led to the greatest number of deaths in Ghana in 2022, hypertension was the most common.
The Births and Deaths Registry published a report that included this concerning statistic. The study noted that 18,689 of the 50,992 recorded deaths, or 36.7% of all deaths, were linked to the top 11 causes of mortality. In terms of fatalities, hypertension accounted for 2,573 deaths. Acute respiratory failure (2,203 deaths), heart failure (2,225 deaths), and pneumonia (2,457 deaths) followed closely. An additional 1,679 deaths were attributed to stroke, 1,578 deaths to diabetes, 1,558 deaths to severe sepsis, 1,401 deaths to septic shock, 1,103 deaths from chronic liver disease, 1,036 deaths from cancer, and 876 deaths from cerebrovascular illnesses.
The man's experience highlights the human cost of this public health emergency and emphasises the need for more understanding and assistance for individuals dealing with hypertension. His predicament serves as an example of the wider effects of this fatal illness on both individuals and families, as he battles with both his health and the psychological toll of his family's separation.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise in Accra and throughout Ghana; among the most common causes of death for the elderly and middle-aged in the capital city are cardiovascular conditions associated with hypertension. Dr. Abena Okoh, the Metropolitan Director of Health Services, revealed that leading an unhealthy lifestyle is a major contributor to chronic illnesses, such as hypertension. "
Those who do not engage in physical activity, as well as those who consume excessive amounts of salt, fats, and oils in their diet, are at risk of developing hypertension due to these risk factors." To give an example, Dr. Okoh said that for three years in a row, from 2021 to 2023, hypertension was the fifth leading cause of death in Accra Metropolis. During this time, 38,826 cases of hypertension were reported to Accra's medical institutions. According to the health director, there were 12,451 instances in 2021, 12,671 cases in 2022, and 13,704 cases in 2023.
"Here in Accra, hypertension has continued to rise over time. Many people with hypertension stroll around town without realising it. She stated that asthma came in second on the log, with 1,364 cases in 2021, 2,112 cases in 2022, and 1,661 cases in 2023
. After reporting 418 cases in 2021 and 249 cases in 2022, cardiac disorders came in sixth. Stroke is also considered a potentially fatal illness by the Accra Metro Health Directorate; 187 instances were reported in 2021 and 304 in 2022.
Dr. Okoh gave reassurance that if communities and legislators implemented the appropriate policies to inform the people about ways to lower their risk, many fatalities from non-communicable diseases might be avoided.
