Health and Wealth: The Role of Healthcare Facilities in Ghana’s Development

Introduction

Health and Wealth are not just words that have similar correspondence in terms of sound but they also have an undeniable affinity for economic development that cannot be downplayed. Dr. Margaret Chan, former Director-General of the World Health Organisation stated in a keynote address at the WHO European Conference on Health Systems in 2008 that the evidence about the dynamic link between health and economic prosperity to make the case for giving serious political attention to the performance of health systems was a smart move.

In Estonia where dignitaries from fifty-three (53) countries had met to discuss Health systems, health and wealth; Dr. Chan disclosed that cash, commitment, and commodities could not boost adequate progress in the absence of delivery systems that reached those in greatest need, on an adequate scale, in time. The statement clearly highlights the unequivocal importance of Health facilities for development of our Ghanaian economy. In June 2012, the Ghana Medical Journal published an article on the burden of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD’s) in the country.

A de-Graft Aikins et al underscored the prevalence of NCD’s like hypertension, stroke and diabetes which greatly affected the young and old in both rural and urban areas across the nation. According to the article, these conditions have become the top 10 causes of Death over the last few decades. Emphasis was laid on urbanization, changing lifestyles including poor diet, ageing populations, globalization and weak health systems as being the root causes.

Impact of Healthcare Facilities

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In other words, it is better to stop something bad from happening than it is to deal with it after it has happened. It is imperative that a healthy lifestyle is awakened among Ghanaians. Healthcare facilities play a crucial role in ensuring the overall sensitization and implementation of healthy lifestyle among the Ghanaian populace.

In recent times, there has been an overwhelming show of concern for healthy living as scores of individuals show keen interest in knowing their health status and what is expected of them to live healthy lives. This is evidenced by a tremendous pursuit of knowledge from health professionals via the internet, social media, religious outfits, health institutions, and the media. Henry A. Tagoe and Fidelia AA Drake published an abstract on the US National Library of Medicine Website in April 7, 2011.

The article showed that while the prevalence of some negative lifestyle behaviours like smoking had reduced others like alcohol consumption had increased. Relatively fewer people adhered to consuming the recommended amount of fruit and vegetable servings per day in 2008 compared to 2003. While more females (7.0%) exhibited healthier lifestyles, more males (9.0%) exhibited risky lifestyle behaviours after the introduction of the national health policy. These results were achieved using the 2003 World Health Survey in Ghana and a 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey.

The question one is likely to ask is whether or not these figures have improved. Obviously, improvement in healthy lifestyle habits is key to ensuring healthy living and a resultant drastic reduction in the prevalence of NCD’s. Once this is achieved, productivity will increase which will eventually lead to the creation of wealth. As it stands, Ghana can boast of a great number of health facilities across her length and breadth. However, there is an increasing demand for quality and timely healthcare delivery as successive governments have showed commitment to improving the quality of existing facilities and addition of new ones.

The upgrade that the Greater Accra Regional Hospital formerly Ridge Hospital is a good step at improving healthcare delivery. Some facilities and departments including the Accident and Orthopaedic Centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have also seen massive improvement. Five ambulances and five workshop vans were also provided to the hospital in 2014. The commitment shown by successive governments stems from a strict adherence to the fact that a progressively healthy population contributes to the ever-increasing development of our economy.

The brilliance of under-resourced health professionals who have had to provide services to scores of citizens some rural areas and urban areas has contributed immensely to overall health and well-being. I had the privilege of meeting foreign students from Iowa and Massachusetts, USA in 2013 for a month-long community nutrition program at Asesewa and they were of the view that Ghanaian health professionals perform magic. The opinion stems from the fact that we make the best out of the limited resources we have at our disposal.

Conclusion

We cannot downplay the importance of our health facilities in ensuring progressive, quality and timely healthcare delivery. In my four-year period of practice in Dietetics, I am fully convinced that clients and patients alike can of themselves improve their lifestyle choices if an effective individualized evidence-based approach is used in creating awareness of the importance of prevention, cure and management of diseases.

There are huge numbers of reported deaths from non-communicable diseases in health facilities that could have been avoided if preventive measures had been observed at the early stages. However, it is never too late to reduce these figures. A chunk of the responsibility lies on the shoulders of the ordinary citizen, stakeholders, governments, health professionals and the health facilities.

The Work of New Crystal Health Services Having worked with management and staff of New Crystal Health Services for the past two (2) years as resident dietician; I have come to appreciate our mission, objectives and our overall commitment to ensuring a healthy lifestyle for our members and the general public. Our team of qualified, knowledgeable and dedicated staff have a personal interest in providing quality health care to our clients.

Our work is tailored to meet individual needs and our facilities are top-notch and ultramodern. As part of our products and services, we have over the years sought to empower workplace wellness programs that focus on preventive health by challenging individuals to exercise regularly and observe healthy dietary and lifestyle choices. This we have achieved through medical screening programs and health talks.

Mr. Benjamin Ababio (RD, LD)
Resident Dietician (New Crystal Health Services)

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