Public urged to take personal action against rising diseases

A family physician specialist, Dr Abraham Amponsah has raised alarms over the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in developing countries, particularly in low and middle-income nations, like Ghana.

Traditionally associated with advanced countries, these conditions—such as cardiovascular diseases, heart diseases, and stroke—are now becoming the most common causes of death worldwide.

Dr Amponsah emphasized that diabetes and hypertension, two key risk factors, are on the rise and contributing significantly to the global burden of NCDs.

“Alcohol misuse is a major issue, and I believe many people don’t know what it means to drink in moderation. Our diets are also looking like the diets of advanced countries, and these days we live a lot of sedentary lifestyles. That is why we see a lot of these lifestyle diseases in our part of the world”, he revealed.

WHO Findings

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases are responsible for approximately 71% of all deaths globally, with cardiovascular diseases accounting for most NCD deaths, followed by cancers, respiratory diseases, and diabetes. The WHO reports that over 85% of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, underscoring the urgency of addressing the NCD crisis in these regions.

Although public health advocacy around NCDs has been ongoing, Dr Amponsah says there remains a significant gap between the population’s needs and the solutions provided. While governments focus on building hospitals and training healthcare professionals, the specialist argued that more investment in preventive health measures is necessary.

“We cannot solely depend on government and health facilities to take care of us. Citizens must take their lives into their own hands by adopting healthier lifestyles,” he urged.

“It’s crucial that we don’t wait until we fall sick. By taking proactive steps—such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco, and drinking alcohol in moderation—we can significantly reduce the risk of developing these life-threatening diseases”, he added.

Inauguration

Dr Amponsah made these remarks on Saturday (17 August), during the inauguration of the Kumasi branch of MMA Labs and Clinic, one of Ghana’s fastest-growing diagnostic services and precision medicine company.

The facility focuses on preventive health check-ups, routine, specialized, reproductive health investigations, oncology and rare disease, according to details published on its website.

Known for its exceptional proficiency in diagnostic testing and laboratory management, MMA Labs has long been a respected name in the field with offices and partners spread across the country. Their commitment to precision, cutting-edge technology, and unwavering dedication to quality has made them a trusted partner in the healthcare community.

“We have a catalogue of more than 5000 tests”, said CEO of MMA Labs Dr Evans Kyeremeh. “For us no test comes here and goes unattended to. We are the mouthpiece of DNA. We introduced DNA reporting in Ghana. People were even afraid to talk about DNA but now people can associate themselves with it. Any test that comes in mind and be coordinated with an existing partner to get your results.

We have the corporate client where businesses can hold mass screening for their staff and the community in which they find themselves. We also have a clinician to also take care of persons who need clinical care”.

The Kumasi branch is located at Ahodwo-Daban, Cindy’s Junction. Other branches have been established in Dormaa in the Bono Region, Korle Bu and Ofankor, both in the Greater Accra Region.

Credit: Asaase Radio