Let us have better attitude to health issues - Quashigah

Akosombo(ER), July 11, GNA - Major Courage Quashigah (rtd) Minister of Health, has expressed concern about the manner Ghanaians take health issues for granted leading to increase in deaths from degenerative ailments in the country.

He noted that little or no premium was placed on dieting, physical exercises and sanitation all factors that contribute to diabetes, obesity and heart related complications.

Major Quashigah was addressing the opening session of the 15th Annual Conference of District Directors of Health Services at Akosombo in the Eastern Region.

He said "unless a synergetic movement emerged to rouse the nation from its non-receptive attitude to health issues, Ghana would witness more mortality figures."

The Minister of Health said in view of the seriousness of the problem his Ministry had proposed to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports the need to make recreational and health education a compulsory subject in basic schools in the country. He noted that its implementation could help reverse the decline in mortality and lead to a change in attitude towards health issues in the basic schools.

Dr Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyirah, Eastern Regional Director of Health Services, said the directorate had developed modules to educate rural dwellers on health issues.

He called for prudent institutional financial arrangements that would ensure smooth inflow of resources for the sustenance of such programmes at the sub-district levels. Nana Osei Nyarko, Omanhene of Boso Gua Traditional Area, said traditional authorities had accepted the challenge to assist in promoting health programmes. 11 July 07