Create disability fund for disabled diabetics - National Diabetes Association to gov’t

President of the National Diabetes Association Ghana has appealed to government to create a disability fund for diabetics who have had limb amputations as a result of uncontrolled diabetes. Elizabeth Esi Denyoh made her plea at the World Diabetes Day 2019 event which was held in Apam, in Gomoa West District, in the Central Region.

In 2017, about 34,000 people were amputated due to severe diabetic conditions she said. Mrs Esi Denyoh argues that many health workers shun specialising and practising in diabetes treatment because there are no incentives. But this creates a vacuum, contributing to the development of a major health risk for Ghana.

She educated that diabetes though can be controlled if there are adequate awareness programmes and dedicated treatment options delivered by specialised health professionals.  At the event, she also revealed that there is a lack of foot care centres in the country dedicated to treating diabetes of the leg.

Chief of Apam Traditional Area, Obotantam Nana Adu Effrim, who chaired the event, urged the government to prioritise the treatment of diabetics because it is a major health condition that poses a life-changing threat to Ghanaians at risk.

He promised to do his best as a traditional leader to help create awareness on the disease and urged other traditional rulers, church leaders, Muslim leaders and civil society organisations to help. The event was held to raise awareness of the plight that some Ghanaian diabetics face as a result of having diabetes.

It brought together stakeholders, including health professionals from across the country, community health students from the College of Community Health Nursing, Winneba; community members and traders.

Noting that creating awareness does not end on the day designated for diabetes, the President of the National Diabetes Association, promised that her outfit will keep liaising with government, stakeholders and other policymakers to find better ways of treating people with the health problem.