Scale-up anti-tobacco campaign

The Society of Family Physicians of Ghana (SOFPOG) is urging a scale-up of the anti-tobacco campaign to protect the people from health risks.

Dr. Gerhardt Ofori-Amankwah, Vice President of the Society, said more energy and effort should be put into public education on the dangers and harmful effects of smoking.

Tobacco is known to contain in excess of 7,000 chemicals of which 250 are harmful to the human body.

Dr. Ofori-Amankwah speaking at the celebration of this year’s world family doctors’ day held at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, called for what he termed “hard-hitting” advertisements and warnings to discourage tobacco use.

He pointed out that the risk that come with smoking was not limited to only those who smoke, but the larger family and society.

“Smoking cessation” was the theme chosen by the Society for this year’s event.

Family doctors are trained specialists, providing care at the polyclinics, regional and district hospitals.

Dr. Nii Ayerh, President of the Society, said it was working in collaboration with other key stakeholders to train and increase the number of family doctors to improve health care delivery in the communities.

He spoke of intensification of its efforts to help the people to become aware of the group’s existence and encourage families to engage them for their every health need.

He said it had been carrying out research, advocacy, patients care and development alongside building the capacity of its members to improve output.

Dr. Henry Lawson, President-elect of the African Region of the World Organisation of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of Family Physicians (WONCA), said the organization was doing everything to assist train more family doctors in Ghana.