Choicenewsonline Your Choice Is Here
As Ghana joins the world in observing World Glaucoma Day 2025, Dr. Akosua Adu-Ayaa, CEO of Power Specialist Herbal Hospital, has urged Ghanaians to take proactive steps in protecting their eyesight by undergoing regular medical check-ups. She also called on the government to extend National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) coverage to herbal medicine to improve healthcare accessibility.
Speaking to media in an interview, to mark the occasion, Dr. Adu-Ayaa emphasized that glaucoma remains one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, yet many people fail to seek early medical attention due to ignorance or reliance on unprescribed medications.
“Glaucoma is a silent disease that can cause irreversible blindness if not detected early. I urge all Ghanaians to prioritize their eye health by visiting recognized hospitals—whether herbal or conventional—for professional treatment rather than self-medicating with unapproved drugs,” she cautioned.
Dangers of Self-Medication
Dr. Adu-Ayaa warned against the rising trend of self-medication, where individuals purchase unprescribed foreign drugs, herbal solutions, or eye drops from roadside vendors instead of consulting trained medical professionals.
“Some people believe that every eye problem can be solved with over-the-counter medicine or home remedies. However, this practice has led to worsening eye conditions and, in many cases, total blindness. The only way to prevent such risks is by consulting a qualified doctor or herbal specialist for a proper diagnosis,” she said.
Call for NHIS Coverage of Herbal Medicine
Beyond glaucoma awareness, Dr. Adu-Ayaa raised concerns over the lack of government support for herbal medicine, particularly its exclusion from NHIS coverage. She noted that while conventional drugs are covered by the scheme, herbal treatments—which many Ghanaians rely on—are not.
“It is unfair that foreign drugs are fully covered by NHIS while herbal medicine, which has treated people for generations, is sidelined. The government must take immediate steps to ensure that herbal medicine is included in the NHIS, making healthcare more accessible to all,” she stated.
She further urged the government to remove high taxes on herbal medicines, explaining that excessive taxation increases production costs, making herbal treatment expensive for the ordinary Ghanaian.
Environmental Challenges Affecting Herbal Medicine
Dr. Adu-Ayaa also highlighted the challenges facing herbal medicine practitioners due to environmental destruction. She lamented the impact of illegal mining (galamsey) and the use of weedicides in farming, which are destroying medicinal plants used in herbal treatments.
“Many of the herbs we depend on for medicine are being wiped out by harmful farming chemicals and illegal mining activities. If this continues, we may soon lose access to some of the most effective natural treatments,” she warned.
She also expressed concerns over the dangers posed by abandoned galamsey pits, which have led to accidents involving herbalists searching for medicinal plants.
“Some of our practitioners have fallen into open mining pits while gathering herbs. I strongly appeal to miners to cover these pits to prevent further tragedies,” she pleaded.
A Call for Action
Dr. Akosua Adu-Ayaa concluded by encouraging Ghanaians to take eye care seriously and to demand the inclusion of herbal medicine in NHIS. She emphasized that by combining traditional herbal remedies with modern healthcare, the country could provide more effective treatment options for diseases like glaucoma.
As World Glaucoma Day 2025 is observed globally, her message serves as a wake-up call for individuals, policymakers, and healthcare providers to work together in preventing blindness and making healthcare more accessible for all.
For more information contact Dr Akosua Adu-Ayaa on 0248832911
