Hypertension has been found to be one of the major health conditions troubling residents of North Tongu District of the Volta Region.
Medical Director of the St Anne’s Polyclinic, Dr Momodou Cham, who disclosed this, said the situation needs to be addressed through education and regular health outreach to the district.
Hypertension is the constant pumping of blood through blood vessels with excessive force.
It is a major public health problem that is associated with relatively low levels of awareness, drug treatment, and blood pressure control.
“What is worrying is that a lot of people did not know they have hypertension a situation which needs to be addressed,” Dr Cham lamented.
Dr Cham also said it was worrying to note that there are many people living with cardiovascular conditions and mental health problems in rural areas of the country, adding that these are not diseases that only occur in the cities.
According to Dr Cham, communities need to be engaged and sensitized on the risks associated with these conditions as well as their symptoms and signs.
Seven hundred and fifty people were screened at the Samsung Digital Village at Volo.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, whose efforts made it possible for the Samsung Digital Village to be built in the area said the facility is to enhance quality health care delivery in the area.
Five health facilities took part in the screening namely, St. Anne’s Polyclinic, Volo Health, the Catholic Hospital Battor, Adidome Hospital and Comboni Hospital.
Conditions detected and treated include the following:
Eye Conditions:
1. Glaucoma
2. Cataract
Obs and Gynecologic
1. Pregnancy (free scans offered).
2. Infertility ( free scans).
3. Gynaecological infections.
Dental
1. Dental caries
2. Cavities
ENT
1. Throat infections
2. Impacted wax.
Surgical
1. Hernias
2. Prostate enlargement
Medical
1. Hypertension
2.Malaria
Mental Health
1. Migrant
2. Depression
3. Epilepsy
The Samsung digital village was built in 2016 at a cost of $800,000.