Health professionals in Ghana are calling for a stronger shift toward preventive healthcare, warning that the country’s growing reliance on curative treatment is placing increasing strain on the health system.
The call was made during the Ghana Medical Association’s (GMA) Bi-Annual Wellness Walk, organised in collaboration with the Junior Doctors Association of Ghana and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund under the Preventive and Promotive Primary Health Care agenda.
Held at the University of Ghana Athletics Oval, the event brought together doctors, policymakers, and members of the public for a health walk and aerobics session aimed at promoting physical activity and healthier lifestyles.
President of the GMA, Professor Ernest Yorke, said Ghana must prioritise prevention rather than focusing mainly on treating diseases after they occur.
He stressed that the financial and emotional burden of treating illnesses continues to affect individuals, families, and the national economy, describing prevention as a more cost-effective approach.
A representative of the Ministry of Health, Dr Ernest Konadu, also highlighted the importance of integrating health promotion into daily life, noting that conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases can often be prevented through simple lifestyle changes.
Health Policy Adviser at the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Dr Norbert Kiko, urged citizens to take greater responsibility for their health by maintaining regular exercise and healthy diets, adding that health professionals should lead by example.
The GMA said the wellness walk will be expanded nationwide, with regional branches expected to organise similar activities at least twice a year.
Health authorities say the initiative forms part of broader efforts to reduce rising cases of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart-related conditions, which continue to place pressure on Ghana’s healthcare system.
Source: myjoyonline.com
