Accra: The Ministry of Health and partner advocates have called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, and civil society to address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, the Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the necessity of a 'whole-of-government and whole-of-society' approach in tackling NCDs, as many risk factors extend beyond the health sector's direct mandate. His remarks were made at the National Forum for Non-Health Actors on NCDs, organized by the Ghana NCD Alliance in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, with support from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.
The forum, held in Accra under the theme 'Creating Commitment and Eliciting Collaboration,' aimed to engage non-health sector institutions in efforts to prevent and control NCDs. Dr. Taher highlighted issues such as road safety, physical inactivity, environmental pollution, and improper disposal of electronic waste as significant contributors to the rising incidence of chronic diseases. He noted that road traffic accidents, part of the broader NCD burden, largely fall under transport and road safety agencies' jurisdiction.
Dr. Taher urged ministries responsible for transport, communication, finance, and education, alongside telecommunications companies, mining firms, and the media, to integrate health considerations into their policies, programs, and budgets. He stated, 'Integrating NCD prevention into national planning can significantly reduce preventable deaths and improve overall public health outcomes.'
Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, CEO of Peace and Love Hospital, stressed the importance of prioritizing disease prevention over waiting for severe conditions before seeking treatment. She pointed out that many Ghanaians delay visiting health facilities, as several NCDs, like hypertension and some cancers, develop gradually and often show no early symptoms. Consequently, patients often seek medical care only after complications arise, leading to higher mortality rates and increased healthcare costs.
Dr. Wiafe highlighted limited awareness about risk factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, and unhealthy diets as contributing to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. She warned that emerging lifestyle trends, particularly the growing use of shisha among young people, pose serious health risks if not regulated. She called for stricter regulations, including a possible ban on shisha, noting that several African countries have adopted similar measures to safeguard public health.
Dr. Wiafe encouraged the private sector to support national health promotion efforts through corporate social responsibility initiatives, particularly by backing community outreach and health education campaigns in rural and underserved communities.
Mr. Labram Musah, National Coordinator of the Ghana NCD Alliance, stated that the forum was necessary because discussions on NCDs have largely remained within the health sector. He emphasized, 'We have been preaching to the converted for a long time. It is important to bring non-health actors on board because non-communicable diseases affect everyone, not only the health sector.'
Mr. Musah noted that about 43 percent of all deaths in Ghana are linked to non-communicable diseases, accounting for an estimated 94,400 deaths annually. He highlighted that institutions such as environmental agencies, transport authorities, agricultural bodies, and private companies influence public health outcomes through their policies and operations. Vehicle emissions, workplace health policies, food environments, and opportunities for physical activity are areas where non-health actors can contribute to reducing the NCD burden.
He encouraged organizations to incorporate NCD prevention measures into their policies and corporate social responsibility programs by promoting healthy meals in workplace canteens, creating spaces for physical activity, organizing staff wellness programs, and supporting public health initiatives. Investing in employee health would reduce absenteeism and improve productivity, Mr. Musah said, adding, 'If each institution takes small steps within its environment, together we can significantly reduce the national burden of non-communicable diseases.'
The forum is part of ongoing efforts to promote a multi-sectoral approach to preventing and controlling NCDs in line with global public health strategies.