Diabetes on the increase in Tema

Tema, Nov 14, GNA - The Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate has recorded an increase in diabetes cases reported at both public and private health facilities in the Tema metropolis. The cases shot up from 6,683 recorded between January and June this year to 10,669 by the end of September. A total of 5,792 patients tested positive to diabetes between January and June 2007.

Dr Mrs Ernestina Mensah-Quainoo, Tema Metropolitan Health Director who disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Friday said the disease was among the top 10 diseases in the metropolis. November 14 has been set aside as World Diabetes Day to draw attention to the global diabetes epidemic and the need to improve upon the care for affected people as well as prevent the disease in those at risk.

Dr Mrs Mensah-Quainoo said the increase could be attributed to the bad health habits of some of the residents of the metropolis. She said many people were taking in too much sugar, fatty and oily foods and this put them highly at risk of contracting the disease. The Health Director therefore advised the public to eat more fruits instead of sugary foods in addition to regular exercise and drinking of water frequently. In a related development, the Tema Port Clinic organized a five-hour free medical screening on sugar levels, blood pressure and bodyweight for residents in the metropolis to commemorate this year's diabetes day.

Medical officials said apart from screening the people, they used the occasion to sensitize and advice residents on the disease to help curb its increase in the metropolis.