Ghana's Silent Epidemic: Addressing the surge in four non-communicable diseases

GhanaWeb Feature by Joycelyn Kyei-Baffour

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly becoming a major public health concern in Ghana, reflecting a growing trend globally. The rising prevalence is impacting the quality of life for individuals, straining healthcare systems, and prompting calls for collective efforts to prevent and control these diseases.

GhanaWeb examines four non-communicable diseases affecting Ghanaians and the strategies of the Ghana Health Service to address them.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular disease is a broad term covering various conditions that affect the heart or circulatory vessels, including hypertension, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, ischaemic heart disease, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF), cerebrovascular diseases and stroke, arrhythmias, valvular heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the key behavioural risk factors for heart disease and stroke are an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol consumption. Among environmental risk factors, air pollution is significant.

The WHO adds that the effects of behavioural risk factors may manifest as raised blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, raised blood lipids, and overweight or obesity. These "intermediate risk factors" can be measured in primary care facilities and indicate an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and other complications.

Dr. Beatrice Kisiwaa Baaye, a physician specialist at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, notes that the significant rise in cardiovascular diseases makes it the leading cause of about one-third of all deaths globally, with lifestyle being a major influence.

"It seems cardiovascular diseases are on the rise due to some of the risk factors. If you choose 100 people, you might find about 10 with cardiovascular disease. Out of these, 3 or 4 may have heart failure, one may have a stroke, or one may have a heart attack. It appears to be increasing," she explained.

Chronic Respiratory Diseases

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) encompass a range of conditions affecting the airways and other structures of the lungs. These include asthma and respiratory allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), occupational lung diseases, sleep apnoea syndrome, and pulmonary hypertension.

Cancer

Cancer refers to a group of diseases characterised by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue.

According to the Cancer Society of Ghana, the leading causes of cancer deaths among females are breast, cervical, haematopoietic organ, liver, stomach, and colorectal cancers. For men, the top cancer deaths are liver, prostate, haematopoietic organ, stomach, pancreas, and bladder cancers.

In children, the leading causes of cancer deaths are malignancies of the haematopoietic system, followed by brain, kidney, eye, liver, and bone tumours.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high. It develops when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not respond to insulin effectively. Diabetes affects people of all ages, and most forms are chronic (lifelong), though all forms can be managed with medications and/or lifestyle changes.

Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, a renowned cellular pathologist and lifestyle wellness consultant, has expressed concern over the rising rates of hypertension and diabetes in Ghana, highlighting an increased danger to the populace.

Prof. Akosa, citing research data from various studies conducted from 1960 to 2024, revealed an alarming trend in the country's prevalence rate. He noted that in 1960, a study by Professor Silas Duodu reported a prevalence rate of 0.2 per cent, while in 2006, another study by Professor Albert George Amoah revealed an increase to 6.4 per cent.

"And the most recent population analysis, conducted on Accra civil servants, recorded a prevalence rate of 9.1 per cent. So, we have seen an increase from 0.2 per cent to around 10 per cent—a 50-fold rise. Who is addressing this?" he questioned.

Ghana intensifies efforts to combat the spread of non-communicable diseases

Ghana has intensified efforts to prioritise the prevention and control of NCDs. In 2022, the country launched a policy and strategic plan for the prevention and control of NCDs (2022-2026).

The framework aims to guide the implementation of NCD prevention and control interventions, reduce exposure to NCD risk factors, strengthen multisectoral collaboration, and ensure sustainable funding mechanisms.

National policy recognises these diseases as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana, with the disease burden expected to rise due to ageing, rapid urbanisation, and unhealthy lifestyles.

Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has emphasised the need for the country to prioritise the prevention and control of NCDs to mitigate their future burden and alleviate the strain on the existing healthcare system.

He pointed out that NCDs were responsible for 17 million deaths annually before age 70, with 86 per cent of these premature deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana.

"Within the next 20 years, NCDs will account for nearly half of the global disease burden in developing countries. Our strategies should focus on monitoring the incidence of these diseases and their risk factors," he stated.

He noted that risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, improper nutrition, and sedentary behaviours contribute to the development of diseases.

"The changing pattern of lifestyle leads to obesity, stroke, stress, atherosclerosis, cancer, and other NCDs. Many of these diseases share common risk factors, which can be addressed with minimal cost but maximum impact," he explained.

According to him, interventions such as vaccination for cancer prevention, screening and early detection of diabetes, and timely and appropriate management of diseases have proven effective.

"These are cost-effective, low-hanging fruits that we need to prioritise and scale up nationally to address NCDs. We must be deliberate and decisive in our efforts to tackle NCDs by joining forces, mobilising resources, and adopting best practices," he stated.

He stressed the need for concerted efforts from governments, local and international partners, communities, and patients, all of whom are affected directly or indirectly.

JKB/OGB

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