Ghana govt. urged to institute a National Diabetes Fund

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The National Diabetes Association, Ghana has advocated for the institution of a National Diabetes Fund to help the increasing number of persons with the disease to effectively manage their condition.

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According to Mrs. Elizabeth Esi Denyoh, President of the Association, the proper management of the disease in the country costs averagely GHC 240.00 per month, which she said was not affordable to all patients, adding that setting up a fund would go a long way to help such persons to prevent complications that could arise.

She made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Thursday, during a free diabetes screening held in Cape Coast, in collaboration with the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital to commemorate the World Diabetes day which was celebrated on Nov, 14.

The screening was patronized by staff and service providers of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, residents of Abura and Pedu – suburbs of Cape Coast, as well as a persons who had accompanied their sick relatives to the hospital.

She indicated that the rate of diabetes was increasing in the country, with about one sixth of the population being diabetic, noting that even though attention on Ebola was justified, there was the need to pay similar attention to the disease, which was killing an increasing number of the population.

Mrs. Denyoh said the association would screen as many people as it could nationwide as part of its activities, adding that though the disease cannot be completely treated, the earlier it was detected, the better chance of monitoring to prevent complications.

She advised Ghanaians to check their diabetes status once every three months, avoid polished and junk foods, and urged diabetic patients to take their medications regularly as well as have their blood samples checked.

Ms. Mercy Tsey, a beneficiary, commended the Diabetes association for the exercise since she found it difficult to visit the hospital for diabetic test, especially when the disease is asymptomatic in the early stages.

GNA

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