Healthline educates on infectious diseases

Vodafone’s multi-award-winning TV show, HealthLine, continues to enjoy massive viewership across the country as it educates Ghanaians on important health issues. In its third episode, our doctors answer questions on Infectious Diseases. They talk about how to prevent deadly diseases such as Cholera, Mumps and Tuberculosis and highlight the common lifestyle practices that lead to the spread of these conditions.

Dr Byrite Asamoah stresses the importance of taking the medication prescribed for Tuberculosis sufferers in order to prevent the condition from recurring. Infectious diseases, though deadly can be easily prevented if members of the public fostered habits such as the washing of hands, covering one’s mouth when coughing and having personal tools like spoons and cups. These common practices prevent the transfer of the diseases to other people.

The importance of childhood immunisation is made very clear in the ‘Kids’ Corner’ segment as Dr. Ruth points out that the deaths of many children under the age of 5 years could have been prevented by the simple act of immunisation and sticking to the immunisation schedule in the country in which the child is living.

The treatment room in this week’s episode tackles the potentially deadly problem of dehydration and teaches simple homemade remedies that can prevent it.

Dehydration is the excess loss of water and vital electrolytes from the body and is common in conditions such as diarrhoea and cholera. Dr.Byrite and Dr Lorraine demonstrate how simple household ingredients such as sugar and salt can be used to make Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) to restore the balance of water and electrolytes. They also talk about the benefits of adding zinc to the ORS to help control the diarrhoea.

This week’s episode also profiles Nancy Cobbinah, a zoomlion worker whose pride and dedication in keeping our streets clear of litter is praiseworthy. Vodafone HealthLine airs on Wednesdays on Viasat 1 at 8pm and Crystal TV at 8.30pm; it is then repeated on Sundays on Metro TV at 6pm; Multi TV, eTV and Top TV at 8pm.