Interdisciplinary approach to address environmental health challenges - Dr Arhin

Dr Emmanuel Arhin, Head of Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Development Studies, Navrongo has called for an interdisciplinary research approach to address environmental health problems confronting the country.

Dr Arhin said it was imperative for stakeholders to ‘walk the talk’ and take effective action to curb the incidence of toxic and environmental health issues which poses threat to both humans and animals.

Dr Arhin made the call in Accra at a lecture on the topic: “Medical Geology: The Missing Gap in Ghana’s National Development,” organised by the Ghana Institution of Geoscientists.

He called for a nationwide environmental geochemical survey to highlight hotspots of excesses of toxic elements and deficiencies to create awareness on health related issues.

Dr Arhin noted that millions of people were exposed to excessive amounts of fluoride through drinking contaminated water from natural geological sources, saying this phenomenon must be a wake-up call for all to collaborate and address the menace holistically.

He said the World Health Organisation report mentioned some of the common diseases in the country as cholera, typhoid, pulmonary tuberculosis, anthrax, pertussis, tetanus, chicken pox, yellow fever, measles, malaria and HIV/AIDS.

Dr Arhin said the report stressed that the impact of the natural environment on public health had not been critically highlighted and called on member countries to make this known for amicable redress.

The Medical Geologist noted that the universe comprised of toxic and until the country addressed the issue from earth science perspectives and integrated it with other disciplines, there would continue to be health problems for humankind.

He said the country like other developing countries have a double burden of impact and effects of climate change and called for collaborative support from member countries and development partners to help mitigate such impact.

Alhaji Yakubu Iddrisu, President of Ghana Institution of Geoscientists, said the lecture was to provide networking and professional development opportunities to enhance membership skills with strong recognition and commitment to ethics and standards.

He said the institution was one of the largest organisation in the country representing all minerals sector disciplines including geoscientists, metallurgists, and engineers.