Bad lifestyles cause diseases

Bad Lifestyles have been identified as one of the major causes of many illnesses among the Ghanaian populace.

The Upper East Regional Health Promotion Officer, Mr Rexford King James Adjei, who made the observation at a Regional Health forum on the theme, ”Health Lifestyle: Living Longer” organized in Bolgatanga, said excessive alcohol consumption weakens the immune system to resist diseases.

He expressed regret that in this 21st century, Ghana could not tackle preventable diseases such as cholera, and wondered how it could contain the dangerous Ebola disease should it break out.

He blamed the outbreak of the recent cholera cases, that has claimed many lives in Ghana, to unworkable public health policies, and the lack of creating supportive environment such as the provision of dustbins.

Mr Adjei underscored the need to strengthen public health policies and to create supportive environment as well as reactivate the communal labour spirit to clean the environment.

Speaking on the topic “the role of Nutritionist in Curbing Lifestyle Diseases”, the Municipal Nutrition Officer, Madam Georgina Akolba entreated Ghanaians to adopt regenerative health styles in living by drinking more water and eating more fruits.

She explained that fruits had the potential of building the immune system to fight certain diseases and further indicated that vegetables, which was also very commonly grown in the region, was also good in nutrition.

The forum, organized by the Coalition of NGOs in Health as part of its 2014 Annual Regional Health Forum, attracted stakeholders including Traditional Authorities, Health Workers, women groups and the Media.

The occasion was used to elect new executive members into office.