Don't be shy of reporting ailments to hospitals

Kumasi,(Ashanti Region) 16, Oct. '98 Ghanaians have been advised not to let shyness of their ailments lure them into resorting to self-medication. Rather they should report to the hospitals promptly for proper diagnosis and early treatment.

Dr Samuel Mills of the University of Science and Technology (UST) hospital, said that self-medication should be avoided under any circumstances since it could only give temporary relief to the patient but compound health situations in future.

Dr Mills who made the observation at an education programme organised by the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) for fresh students of the UST in Kumasi on sexual reproductive health, said the appropriate measure was for them to report early .

The programme, the third to be held by the PPAG for fresh students of UST, was also aimed at creating a greater awareness among the students about the real dangers posed by Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS as well as abortions and how to avoid them.

Dr Mills said induced abortion was illegal and it was therefore wrong for anybody to resort to it, saying if even the situation arises, the right procedure should be followed.

Mrs Jessie Ramaswamy, Ashanti Regional Co-ordinator of the PPAG, asked Ghanaians to regard condoms as the safest means of guarding against any STDs but cautioned them against the practice of keeping condoms in their wallets and purses since the heat will damage them. GRi