Mr Labram Musah, the Ghana National Coordinator of NCD Alliance has urged the public to show love, care, and support to COVID-19 patients and people living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
He said: “Everyone is a potential victim of COVID-19 and NCDs.We should avoid stigmatization and discrimination against persons who have recovered to help reduce the burden.”
Mr Musah gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency during a public awareness programme on the COVID-19 at Madina in Accra. He said: “We should all come together and adhere to the safety protocols by washing hands, wearing of nose marks, avoid crowded places and cover mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing so we can win the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.”
Mr Musah called for support from the government, healthcare providers, and those living with NCDs while urging for their involvement in the community and national response programmes to help address stigma and discrimination.
The National Coordinator further called for adherence to medical treatment for NCD patients as against the spiritual and superstitious believes of the diseases.
Mr Musah said to prevent NCDs and promote good health people with the disease should avoid intake of alcoholic beverages and smoking, eat a balanced diet, go for regular medical check-ups, have enough rest, relieve stress, go for brisk walking for 30-45 minutes daily and undertake physical activities.