HelpAge Ghana asks Health Ministry to run programmes reducing diseases
HelpAge Ghana (HG), a local NGO, on Monday asked the Ministry of Health to intensify programmes aimed at reducing occurrence of preventable diseases.
The request forms part of recommendation the NGO made to commemorate the World Health Day (WHO) which fell on April 7.
In a statement issued in Accra and copied to Ghana News Agency in Accra, HG stressed that early detection and treatment of high blood pressure should be prioritised.
The group also recommended that the age exemption for payment of the minimum premium under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) should be reviewed downwards from the current 70 years to 60.
“The diseases and drugs coverage of the NHIS should be made more relevant to the healthcare needs of older people,” the statement added.
It said treatment of urine retention, eye care problems like cataract, glaucoma, colon cancer, prostate cancer and ear-nose-throat should be included.
The statement recommended that the National Health Insurance Fund should be invested in capacity building for health professionals to improve their ability to provide geriatric medical services.
“Health data should be disaggregated by age to include the 60 years and above.
“This will ensure the availability of data to monitor changes in the healthcare needs of older people,” it added.
WHO Day is commemorated on April 7 every year to mark the founding of the Organisation in 1948.
Source: GNA