More Ghanaians dying from hypertension and stroke

Dr Edwin K. Wiredu, a Pathologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, on Thursday said that within the last five years hypertension and stroke have been recorded as the highest cause of death in the Greater Accra Region.

He said from a sample of 25,000 deaths between 15 and 20 per cent were from hypertension and 11 per cent from stroke.

Dr Wiredu, told the GNA that most of the cases were noticed rather late and urged Ghanaians to be "more health conscious" to avoid early deaths.

"We should rather talk about our health instead of illnesses so that we will be free from sudden health attacks."

Dr Wiredu said people should try to have medical check up at least once every year since it would help them to know their health status.

He expressed regret that many people were not conscious of their health while others also did not bother to inquire about diseases that attack them whenever they visit the hospital.

Dr Wiredu said many patients accept drugs given them without finding out what kind of drugs they were or what they do.

He said some patients, who undergo surgical operation, did not care to know the kind of operation that was performed on them.

Dr Wiredu said patients should take it upon themselves to learn about the names of doctors they visit especially at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital so that in case their regular doctors were transferred the new doctor may find it easier treating them.

He suggested that the Health Insurance Scheme should be made to cover the total health of Ghanaians to encourage people to adopt the practice of visiting the hospital regularly.