By Edith Atiaka Eshun
The Kpone Polyclinic records at least two stroke cases a week. According to a Medical Officer at the Polyclinic, Dr. Oman Albert Teye, with hypertension being the major underlying risk factor for stroke, the trend of hypertension and diabetes cases in the Polyclinic’s Out Patient Department records is alarming.
He said the most disturbing part is the age bracket of most of these patients, who are 40 years and below. Dr. Teye said this when the Agape Chapel of the Global Evangelical Church Kpone presented wheelchairs and detergents to the Polyclinic as part of the Church’s 25th-anniversary celebration.
The wheelchairs were donated to the Global Evangelical Church by Free Wheelchair Mission, a US-based NGO, to support people living with disabilities for easy mobility.
“Stroke is becoming. Every week we receive at least two cases of stroke, and this is alarming. For effective management of stroke, it’s a holistic approach. It’s a collaboration between all health workers, ranging from medical doctors, physiotherapists, dieticians, or nutritionists, and even clinical psychologists sometimes come in,” Dr. Teye stated.
He mentioned that “the main risk factor for stroke is hypertension, adding that hypertension and diabetes are the leading non-communicable diseases that we see at the OPD. Their related complications account for the majority of our admissions.”
Dr. Teye noted that about 80 per cent of people who call at the Polyclinic are hypertensive, adding that out of ten people, seven to eight have the condition.
He further noted that regular check-ups are ideal for effective management of hypertension and therefore advised Ghanaians against sedentary lifestyles and encouraged the consumption of more fruits and vegetables.
“We should limit and, if possible, avoid the intake of alcohol and smoking, and eat well. We must moderate our eating habits and not rely more on foreign lifestyles and diets but prioritise our local diets.
Dr. Teye emphasised that the management of stroke needs a holistic approach and commended the Agape Chapel of the Global Evangelical Church for its timely support.
He stressed, “When you have a stroke, it means a part of the body has become weak and cannot function to the best therefore, you need assistance, so the wheel chairs will assist such persons in their mobility, adding that the detergents are timely for effective infection prevention.”
The Parish Pastor of the Church, Reverend Godwin Ametorwo, said that as much as the Church strives to attend to the spiritual needs of its members, their support for society is equally essential. He said the Church also regularly screens members to ensure their wellbeing.
“In addition to winning souls for the Lord, we also have social responsibilities towards the Communities in which we operate, hence the donation. He added that physically, the Church engages in health walks and screenings for our members’ well-being.” Rev. Ametorwo stated.
Members of the Church embarked on a health walk through some of the principal streets of Kpone to keep fit, aside from a free health screening for all.
