Orthodox medicine is ineffective for treating diabetes

Accra, Nov. 6, GNA 96 Dr. Kwesi Ofei-Agyemang, Proprietor of New Life Clinic, said on Monday a growing number of people were going for alternative medicine since orthodox medicine had proved ineffective in the management of diseases including diabetes.

Dr Ofei-Agyemang made the observation at a press conference in Accra to educate Ghanaians about the causes of diabetes and suggested alternative methods for its management.

"If Ghanaians and the Ghanaian economy are to be saved from catastrophic health care costs, especially of adult onset diabetes, then it is time we take a good look at the wisdom in and cost effectiveness of alternative medicine," he said.

Dr. Ofei-Agyemang said the treatment of chronic diseases currently accounted for 85 per cent of the national health care bill, explaining, "We wait for illness to develop and spend huge sums on heroic measures for treatment even ignoring the underlying lifestyle related causes."

He however, stated that orthodox medicine was only effective when dealing with medical emergencies, bacteria infections, trauma care and complex surgical techniques.

Dr Ofei-Agyemang said the fact that medical practitioners were falling victim to chronic diseases, especially with the onset diabetes was evidence that doctors were ignorant of the causes of the disease. Diabetes is a result of accumulated saturated fat and high cholesterol, 93hence the disease is due to the food we eat,=94 he said, and urged Ghanaians to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables to enable them stay healthy.