There is an increasing number of diabetes cases in the Kumasi metropolis, with the Manhyia District Hospital recording an average of 40 new diabetes cases each month.
In addition, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), which is the nation’s second largest referral facility, records about 1,000 out-patient-department (OPD) diabetic-related cases every month.
This high number of diabetes cases being recorded in the Ashanti Region was disclosed during the inauguration of a multi-purpose diabetes support centre at the Manhyia District Hospital in Kumasi.
The establishment of the centre is to enhance the quality of care for people suffering from diabetes through the provision of comprehensive diagnosis, management and treatment of diabetes cases in the region.
The facility, the sixth of its kind to be constructed in the country, also comes with a pharmacy, laboratory, education and counselling unit, consulting room and nutrition.
Novo Nordisk, a global pharmaceutical giant specialising in the management of diabetes, funded the project under its ‘Base of Pyramid (BoP)’ project with support from the Ghana Health Services (GHS) and Palb Pharmaceuticals.
Maija Ilona Lebel, public affairs manager of Nova Nordisk, said the centre would work to ensure early diagnosis of the life-long disease by conducting free screening at regular basis to prevent complications.
Doing this, she mentioned, had become necessary amid the increasing number of cases in the Kumasi metropolis.
Ms Lebel stated that the centre would help to improve self-management by patients through sustained public health education.
Dr Alexis Nang-Beifubah, the Ashanti regional health director, applauded Novo Nordisk for the initiative and urged stronger private sector support to tackle health challenges.
Nana Osei Hyiaman, Otumfuo’s Mawerehene, advised the public to avoid the intake of foods with high sugar contents and to also exercise their bodies regularly to stay healthy.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri