The burden of non communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease as well as heart diseases and stroke, makes it prudent for developing countries like Ghana to tackle the issue head on.
Though there have been efforts by successive governments to increase awareness and reduce the occurrence and possible deaths associated with non communicable diseases, they appear to be a drop in the ocean.
It is on the back of this that Ecobank has set aside the Ecobank Day to raise awareness on Non Communicable diseases.
From industry practitioners to policy makers, the gathering identified the prevalence of NCDs and how Ghana could work to reduce its impact on the economy.
For the Country Representative of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Owen Kaluwa, the outfit is pursuing objectives set out to address critical issues such as tobacco use and its impact on health by 2030.
The burden of non communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease as well as heart diseases and stroke, makes it prudent for developing countries like Ghana to tackle the issue head on.
Though there have been efforts by successive governments to increase awareness and reduce the occurrence and possible deaths associated with non communicable diseases, they appear to be a drop in the ocean.
It is on the back of this that Ecobank has set aside the Ecobank Day to raise awareness on Non Communicable diseases.
From industry practitioners to policy makers, the gathering identified the prevalence of NCDs and how Ghana could work to reduce its impact on the economy.
For the Country Representative of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Owen Kaluwa, the outfit is pursuing objectives set out to address critical issues such as tobacco use and its impact on health by 2030.
Meanwhile, Deputy Program Manager at the Non Communicable Disease Control Program at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Afua Commeh highlighted the funding challenge and stressed the need for partnerships to help Ghana achieve its aim.
“The assistance for health which was in trillions of dollars saw NCDs being allocated 1.31 percent. While unallocable had 3.6 percent,” she surmised.
The focus by Ecobank on Non Communicable Diseases is expected to last for at least the next three years.
This year’s edition which centered on cancers coincides with the Breast Cancer Awareness month.
The Executive Director of Finance and the Chief Financial Officer for Anglophone West Africa, Edward Nartey Botchway speaks more on the motivation to embark on this project.
“You do not expect the government to bear the burden alone…So corporate Ghana and individuals need to take up that responsibility and ensure that they do the things they ought to do,” he remarked.