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Hypertensive related conditions deaths among children between the ages of 12 and 15 in Ghana is on the ascendency, Prof. Paul Poku Sampene Ossei, a Consultant Pathologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has revealed.
This, he attributed to the unwillingness from some deceased families to perform post-mortem examination on their relatives to ascertain the causes of deaths for future study to improve the quality of healthcare in the country.
Prof. Paul Poku Sampene Ossei, who is also an Associate Professor at the School of Medical Sciences (SMS) at the KNUST, relates the deceased-family-unwillingness to archaic religious beliefs, that he stated must be ignored.
Prof. Paul Poku Sampene Ossei made the revelation on Otec FM’s morning show ‘Nyansapo’, hosted by Captain Koda, on Friday, May 12, 2023.
Prof. Paul Poku Sampene Ossei stated that non-communicable diseases like hypertension, cancers and diabetes have taken over from infectious diseases like, pneumonia, malaria among others.
“Hypertension deaths in Ghana are on the increase, and what is worrying now is children between the ages of 12 and 15 are dying of hypertensive related diseases. The situation is serious and needs immediate attention,” he bemoaned.
“What is more worrying is the fact some diseased family members do not want their dead relatives to undergo post-mortem examination to discover the cause of the deaths, in the name of religious beliefs purposes,” he added.
The situation Prof. Paul Poku Sampene Ossei posited does not help in the future study that may help medical practitioners to improve the quality of healthcare in the country.
To reduce hypertension deaths, the Consultant Pathologist advised the public to have enough exercise, eat healthy foods, reduce alcohol intake, stop smoking and have enough rest.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah
