Diabetes Association accuse government of negligence

Ghana Diabetes Association has accused the NPP government of neglecting them.
According to the group, government is not providing them with the needed support they enjoyed under President John Mahama.
The President of the Association, Elizabeth Esi Denyo told Adom News Reporter Kwame Kulenu that their medication used to cost GHC80 and it was reduced to GHC20 through tax waivers under the Mahama government.
But the current finance ministry, under NPP, has removed the tax waiver and the price of insulin has gone up again.
She was speaking with Adom News during a health walk jointly organized by Ecobank Ghana and the Ghana Health Service.
Madam Esi Danyo therefore appealed to government restore the subsidies and reduce the burden on patients.
She further explained that the absence of a Diabetes Council also poses a serious challenge to patients because “people are making money off us since we don’t have anyone speaking for us”.
The Association’s President noted that the previous government was in the process of setting up a Council when it was voted out, but this government has neglected the process.
She is therefore calling on government to establish Diabetes Council to manage activities regarding diabetes in the country.
Head of Marketing and Communications of Ecobank, Rev. Patricia Sappor said diabetes has become a growing concern, becoming more prevalent in urban centers, and that calls for regular education, exhibitions and screening camps to increase awareness among the general public.
She said Ecobank Ghana, as part of their corporate social responsibility, is supporting this charge and encouraging more corporate bodies to get involved.