Consult Ghanaian health specialist first – Dr Ankobiah
Dr William Ankobiah, Chief Executive of Bemuah Royal Hospital in Accra has called on Ghanaians to first consult Ghanaian health specialist physicians before seeking help outside the country.
He said there are Ghanaian specialist doctors in the country, with the expertise like those outside, who have established facilities to support government in health delivery, and urged the public to seek assistance from them.
Dr Ankobiah, who is also a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at East Legon, a suburb of Accra, on Wednesday.
He said patients should be encouraged to consult Ghanaian private specialists for treatment after they have tried Korle-Bu and the Komfo-Anokye teaching Hospitals before they fly outside for treatment to cut down cost.
“It is disheartening for some of us to see patients with common ailments like asthma being sent outside for treatment, which could be handled here,” adding that, such acts would not encourage other Ghanaian specialists outside to come home to assist in health delivery.
The Bemuah Royal Hospital is an American Heart and Lung Centre, which also provides general medical services, cardiac/respiratory services and emergency and critical care.
Dr Ankobiah said cigarette smoking and high cholesterol are major causes of sudden deaths and strokes and advised Ghanaians to have regular checkups for early detection and treatment.
Source: GNA