I am an acute respiratory viral disease. I came in the form of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) but I am now the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
I can come to you through droplets such as coughing or sneezing from someone I have already infected, and I spread very fast. Because of this, most think I am airborne but I am not.
When I come to you, it takes 2-14days to make you have fever, cough, runny nose, make it difficult for you to breath, and pretend as if I am common cold but my name is Coronavirus. You will need laboratory test to confirm my name.
Internationally, I have infected and killed so many people. As at 8th of February, 2020, I have infected 34,886 people in the world. China is a place I really love most, I have killed 723people there and infected 34,598 people as at 8th February, 2020. So far, I have infected 24 countries such as Almighty China, Japan, Singapore, USA, UK, France, Nepal, Finland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and others.
The faster rate at which I am spreading makes me very scary and horrible so must watch out for me. Recently, I shook La Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana small, they became scared so decided not to visit them but warning them to prepare for me.
I always laugh when some people say I cannot survive in a hot temperature like Africa but what I can tell you is to beware of me, Coronavirus. I have made so many scientists to research into me for treatment but nothing good is coming out because I am wonderfully made. The only thing to prevent me is frequent hand washing with soap under running water, and /or alcohol hand rub.
You cannot get my treatment now but can isolate or separate those I infect and care for them with symptomatic treatment. Apart from hand washing to prevent me, Practice respiratory hygiene like covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing with a tissue and disinfect the tissue before discarding into the bin.
Cooking meat and eggs well also prevents me from visiting you. When you touch animals, please wash your hands to prevent me from visiting you. Social distance, 1m from people I have infected can save your life. Seek medical attention if my features come to you for immediate attention. Thank you so much for knowing me as Coronavirus. Bye!
“I destroy homes, tear families apart, take your children,” and this is just the start.
“I’m more costly than diamonds, more costly than gold. The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold”.
Who am I!
“And if you need me, remember I’m easily found. I live all around you, in schools and in towns”. “I live with the rich, I live with the poor, I live down the street, and may be next door”.
“My power is awesome, try me you’ll see. But if you do, you may never break free. Just try me once and I might let you go, but try me twice, and I’ll own your soul”.
“When I possess you, you’ll steal and you’ll lie. You’ll do what you have to, just to get high. The crimes you’ll commit, for my narcotic charms, will be worth the pleasure you’ll feel in your arms. You’ll lie to your mother; you’ll steal from your dad. When you see their tears, you should feel sad”.
“But you’ll forget your morals and how you were brought up. I’ll be your conscience, I’ll teach you my ways. I take kids from parents, and parents from kids, I turn people from God, and separate from friends”.
“I’ll take everything from you, your looks and your pride, I’ll be with you always, right by your side”.
“You’ll give up everything – your family, your home, your friends, your money, then you’ll be alone”.
“I’ll take till you have nothing more to give. When I’m finished with you, you’ll be lucky to live”.
“I want you to know, these are all gifts from me. But then it’s too late, and you’ll know in your heart, that you are mine, and we shall not part”.
“If you try me, be warned this is not a game. If given the chance, I’ll drive you insane. I’ll ravish your body, I’ll control your mind. I’ll own you completely; your soul will be mine. The nightmares I’ll give you while lying in bed. The voices you’ll hear from inside your head. The sweats, the shakes, the visions you’ll see”.
Then who am I?
“You’ll regret that you tried me, they always do.
But you came to me, I didn’t come to you. You knew this would happen.
You could have said no, and just walked away. If you could live that day over, now what would you say?
I’ll be your master; you will be my slave. I’ll even go with you when you go to your grave.
Many times you were told, but you challenged my power, and chose to be bold”.
I am who I am!
“Now that you have met me, what will you do? Will you try me or not?
Its all up to you.
I can bring you more misery than words can tell.
Come and take my hand, let me lead you to hell”.
I am DRUGS/ALCOHOL
Say no to Drugs/Alcohol.
Source: Mental Health Authority, Ghana, Facebook wall.
Credit: Mr. Samuel Gyandoh, Mental health expert, KBTH.
Kindly watch out for BEWARE OF DEADLY CORONAVIRUS REVISED. This is necessary because WHO has declared this disease as public health emergency which needs more public health education. Thanks
Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women with an estimated 570,000 new cases in 2018 representing 6.6% of all female cancers, and nearly, 90% of deaths from cervical cancer occurred in low- and middle-income countries (www.who.int).
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly 68,000 cases of cervical cancer each year in Africa are caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Cervical cancer is a preventable disease but still the most common cause of cancer in the Africa, accounting 22% of all female cancers. 34 out of every 100,000 women in Africa are diagnosed with cervical cancer while 7 out of every 100,000 women are being diagnosed with cervical cancer in the North America. In Africa, 23 out of every 100,000 women die from cervical cancer every year but 3 out of every 100,000 women die from the disease every year in North America (www.afro.who.int).
Report sighted in the Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers, Fact Sheet 2018, 3,151 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer while 2,119 women die from the disease every year in Ghana, hence, cervical cancer ranked as the second most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age in Ghana (www.hpvcentre.net). These statistics showed that the disease can be deadly, hence, must give serious attention to this disease. It is therefore necessary to check your status at a nearby health facility.
This made the United State Congress to set January as the month for cervical health awareness month to educate and inform to promote preventive health (www.nccc-online.org). Therefore, every January is celebrated as cervical health awareness month.
What is Cervical Cancer, what is the cause, how is this disease transmitted and what are the parameters to determine if you have this disease?
Cancer can be explained as a disease in which body cells grow uncontrollable. Cancer is always named after the part of the body it starts. When the cancer starts in the cervix, it is known as cervical cancer. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus which connects the vagina to the upper part of the womb (uterus)(www.insideknowledge2018cervicalcancerfactsheet.com
The main cause of cervical cancer is Human Papillomavirus(HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). One can get the HPV through sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal or anal sex) with infected partner but mostly spread through vaginal or anal sex. Infected person can pass the HPV even if the person has no signs or symptoms. Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you had sex with only one partner. Most infected people do not show signs and symptoms years after having sex with someone who is infected. This explains why it is very important to check your status by walking to any nearby centre for screening (www.cdc.gov).
When the cervical cancer advances, you may experience symptoms such as vaginal bleeding or vaginal abnormal discharge (bad odour), and bleeding after sex (www.insideknowledge2018cervicalcancerfactsheet.com).
Please, do not wait to experience these but go for screening to know your status because early detection saves life.
Get Pap smear test done at any hospital to know your cervical health status. Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital-Reproductive Centre will start cervical cancer screening on 27th January, 2020 at 9am at a subsidised cost (Ghc 80 instead of Ghc150). Get screened now to save your life.
The theme for the cervical cancer awareness campaign for this year is Cervical cancer prevention; A call to action.
How can I prevent cervical cancer?
1. Kindly do regularly pap smear test to know your status once you engage in sexual activities because early detection saves life.
2. Follow up if your test results is positive. Cervical cancer is treatable if detected early.
3. Get HPV vaccine to protect you. This vaccination is recommended for preteens (11-12years or even 9years). Not recommended for those older than 26years if you have not vaccinated already. However, some adults between 27years to 45years may decide to get the HPV vaccine after consultation with the health care provider but may not have the full benefits of protection (www.cdc.gov).
4. Have protected sex (use condom) , and be faithful to your sex partner.
6. Live a good lifestyle (avoid smoking, alcohol, eat more fruits and vegetables etcs).
Conclusion.
Cervical cancer is preventable if adhered to protected sex and stay with one sex partner, and treatable if screened early to detect early for early treatment. Get screened now to know your status to save you.
Coronavirus is a viral infection that mimic the signs and symptoms of common cold until laboratory test to confirm. It is usually transmitted between animals and human, hence zoonotic in nature( WHO, CDC; credit: Douglas Adu-Fokuo, MPH &IMPH). There are two main human coronaviruses such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-COv) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-COv) until recently, WHO identified the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019–nCOv) in China ( http://www.cdc.gov, http://www.webmed.com, http://www.who.int).
Coronavirus. PhotoCredit; WebMed.com
Both the MERS-COv and SARS-COv cause severe signs and symptoms including the 2019-nCOv such as fever,runny nose, cough, shortness of breath, chills, body aches then in some cases, bronchitis or pneumonia. People with weak immune system are vulnerable to the disease (CDC, WHO, webMed). One can get the disease through contact with infected person through sneezing or coughing, touching or shaking infected surfaces or hands but faecal contamination is very rare (WebMed.com).
PhotoCredit; usatoday.com
Six countries so far have been affected by this disease which include China, Japan, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Thailand and USA (CDC, WHO cited in Douglas Adu-Fokuo, 2020, MPH, IMPH). 9 deaths, 441 confirmed cases, 25 cases fully recovered and 170 suspected cases recorded (WHO cited in Douglas Adu-Fokuo, 2020, MPH, IMPH).
Brief History
Coronaviruses were first identified in 1960s but no source of the disease was detected. The name came as a result of their crown-like shape. MERS-COv was detected in Saudi Arabia in 2012, with about 858 deaths then Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe. The disease was detected in USA in 2014 when some Americans came from Saudi Arabia, 2015 in Korea but SARS-COv was first detected in 2003, with 774 deaths but January 2020, WHO identified the new type, 2019-nCOv in China, with 300 confirmed cases in China (WebMed.com, Who.int).
Treatment
No specific treatment but symptomatic treatment such as pain and fever medications, cough mixtures if you are coughing and others.
It is advisable to treat this condition like common cold such as having adequate rest, taking adequate fluid diet (fruits, water, soup etcs) and others (cdc.gov).
Prevention (cdc.gov)
Self
1. Wash hands regularly with clean soap under clean running water.
2. Wash your hands before touching your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent infections.
3. Avoid close contact with infected people.
4. Reduce contact with farm animals or wild life, and/or wash hands after touching farm animals or wildlife.
Others
1. Reduce outings, stay indoors.
2. Avoid close contact with others.
3. Cover your mouth or nostril with clean tissue when coughing or sneezing, and discard into the bin or sneeze into your elbow, and wash your hands.
4. Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
Healthcare providers
1. Please, use standard infection control measures.
Conclusion
Coronavirus is deadly but preventable. Let us all be health-conscious. Thank you.
Over the years, prior, during and immediate post festive seasons like Christmas, Easter and others, the country records a worrying trend of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs), with very serious injuries, and deaths, which affects the country’s Human Resources as well as productivity, leading to low economic growth. This has made many stakeholders in Road Safety and Environment to put strategies in place to curb the situation. For instance, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) launched the 2019 Road Safety Christmas campaign under the theme; Stop road accidents now, before it stops you, in support of the Ghana Police Service, with its initiative Operations Father Christmas.
Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) can be explained as any misfortune that occurs on the road. According to the Director General of National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Mrs. May Obiri-Yeboah, the Yuletide season has always been the topmost risk season for road safety due to increases in motorization and travels before and during the period as well as the excitement and merry making which were often characterized by disrespect for road traffic rules and regulations (www.Allafrica.com).
According to myjoyonline.com, thirty-two (32) people were killed in 161 motor accidents nationwide during the Christmas and New Year period in 2016. It was also noted that between 24th and 26th Dec, 2016, twenty (20) out of the thirty-two (32) died within this period. This shows how serious and alarming the situation is, during the Christmas period. The Police Motor and Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) records, cited by the Graphic online showed that about Six (6) people die each day in Ghana due to Road Traffic Accidents (RTA), which translates into over 2,000 deaths each year.
Also, it was reported that 7,515 private vehicles were involved in road accidents from January to December, 2017 while 6,453 commercial vehicles crashed during the same period (Graphic online, 2018). This means that 1,060 more private vehicles were involved in RTA, with saloon cars being the topmost, followed by sports utility vehicles (SUVs). In Greater Accra Region alone, findings from Ama.gov.gh revealed that RTA has increased from 1,697 in 2016 to 1,812 in 2018, including serious injuries and deaths increasing from 51% in 2017 to 89% in 2018.
The most bizarre report cited by Ghana News Agency online, 2019 was that in December 24th to 26th, 2018, the country recorded 98 crashes on the road, with about 33people dying in the process.
CAUSES OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS (RTAs)
High travel speeds ( overspeeding), overtaking, fatigue driving, drink driving, wrongful road crossings, overloading, worn-out tyres, invisible/ no road signs along the vintage points of the road, invisible or no road markings, inadequate road safety sensitization and others.
Road safety is a public health concern which needs maximum attention to achieve it. Any feature of the road and its surroundings which prevent or reduce the risk of road accident when they do occur can be explained as Road Safety (World Bank; Roads and the environment: A Handbook, n.d). For instance, the signs, markings, intersection layout and control, pavement, roadside access, parking and bus stop arrangements, provisions for pedestrians, cyclists and others are all road safety features.
WHO ARE THOSE NEEDED TO ACHIEVE ROAD SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT?
National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Police Motor and Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD), Transport operators, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Roads and Highways, Drivers, Metropolitans /Municipalities/ District Assemblies, Passengers, Pedestrians and Media.
THE KEY COMMON MANDATE OF EACH STAKEHOLDER.
All the above stakeholders have a common mandate which is “to promote best road safety practices or to promote road safety “. The question now is how can this aim be achieved? Please, have in mind that Safety on the road is a shared responsibility and every Ghanaian has to play their roles well to ensure it works (Supt. Alexander Kweku Obeng, National Director in charge of Education, Research and Training, MTTD, cited in Ghana News Agency online, 2019).
THE WAY FORWARD
1. Be a responsible driver
Don’t drink and drive because your safety is your health, and your health is your life. Please, don’t drive while you are tired, rest because life is only one, whatever you are in hurry to do can wait or be replaced but your life once taken can never be replaced. Kindly check the state of your car tyres, brake, and others for safe driving. Avoid overloading, overtaking and overspeeding, drive safe for your health to have life.
2. Be a responsible pedestrian
Cross at designated safe crossing points (zebra crossing), for your safety is your health, and your health is your life. Watch out carefully from both sides of the road before using the zebra crossing, do not run to cross the road but walk to cross the road because your safety is very important. Avoid phone calls or “ watspping ” or blocking all your ears with your ear pieces when crossing the road. Use the appropriate sidewalks, foot bridges on the road.
3. Be a responsible passenger
Wear your seatbelt, politely check the driver if he or she is drunk or under influence of drugs before you buy tickets or use his or her vehicle, respectfully prompt driver if he is overspeeding or overtaking or overloading, insist that you will report to the police at any police barrier if he or she did not adhere to your complain because your safety is your health, and your health is your life.
4. Be a responsible motorcyclist
Wear helmets and protective clothing for your safety along the road, in addition to all listed in 1. above.
5. Be a responsible district assembly
Ensure the implementation of road safety policies.
6. Be a responsible National Road Safety Authority
Plan, develop and promote road safety, and coordinate policies related to road safety.
7. Be a responsible MTTD
Ensure the enforcement of Road safety policies.
8. Be a responsible Ministry of Transport
DVLA must ensure best practices for licensing drivers and vehicles to promote road safety. Must ensure road signs for safe use of the roads, road markings, and clear vision along the road when driving and others.
9. Be a responsible media
Inform and sensitise the public on road safety and its measures.
CONCLUSION
Everyone should be responsible to ensure road safety in this festive season because safety is your health, and your health is life. We need you alive for 2020 so drive safe, cross safe to have safe merry Christmas and happy new year. All suggestions are welcome.Thank you.
Marijuana originated from China between 2700-2900 BC where the Chinese used marijuana for maladies ranging from rheumatism to constipation (Dzidepo Hanu, psychiatric nurse, retrieved from http://www.peacefmonline.com, 2015; http://www.marijuanaprocon.org). In 1611, the North America started the marijuana activities then in 1800s, doctors were using Cannabis extracts for various ailments, that is treatment for opiate addiction, leprosy, cholera and others. US included it in their pharmacopoeia during the 1800 and 1900 (Dzidepo Hanu, retrieved from http://www.peacefmonline.com, 2015: http://www.marijuanaprocon.org).
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF MARIJUANA.
Marijuana is a herb derived from female Cannabis Sativa plant. It is prepared from the dried flowering tops and leaves of the plant (Singh and Gupta, 2017; WHO, 2016). Some of the street name include Bhang, gaanja, weed, pot, Hashish etcs. Route of administration can be smoking, injection, oral, rectal, topical, inhalation and others. Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD), and Cannabinol (CBN) are the three principal psychoactive compounds in marijuana but THC is the primary psychoactive compound which makes one feel “high” after ingestion of marijuana (WHO, 2016).
Classification of marijuana based on the purpose.
Medicinal/medical marijuana.
It is the use of marijuana plants or chemicals to treat diseases or conditions. The main chemicals used are the THC and CBD (www.webmd.com). According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the recommended potency of THC for medicinal purposes include the following: Pistillate flowers (10-12%), Leaves (1-2%), Stalks (0.1-0.3%), and roots (<0.03%) (WHO, 2018).
Note: The potency of THC of the marijuana product depends on the growing conditions, the genetic characteristics of the plant, and the part of the plant that is used ( Clarke and Watson, 2002 cited in WHO, 2016). This means that trained professionals are required to reduce the potency of THC to the recommended level for medical marijuana.
Side Effects of Medicinal marijuana (www.webmd.com)
Bloodshot eyes, depression, dizziness, fast heartbeat, hallucinations and Low blood pressure.
Recreational marijuana.
It is also known as Adult-use marijuana (www.marijuanaprocon.org).
Social marijuana.
It is the formation of social cannabis club to enhance social experiences like parties or concerts, and some consider it as part of their daily lifestyle (www.thesocialweed.com). For instance, cannabis community events, cannabis recipes, cannabis strains and others.
Nearly 600,000 Americans were arrested for marijuana possession annually, that is more than one person per minute (www.marijuanaprocon.org) till legalisation. The public support to legalise marijuana increased from 12% in 1969 to 66% in 2012, which led to first legalisation of recreational marijuana in Colorado and Washington in 2012. (www.marijuanaprocon.org).
In Ghana, people started advocating for legalisation of marijuana in “trotro”, door to door, public places and others. Comments from some renowned leaders to decriminalize marijuana, and have national debate led to the formation of Rastafarian Council of Ghana in 2009, to push this agendum. Some of the leaders who said marijuana should be legalized include: Prof. Dodoo (CEO of Ghana Standard Authority), Nana Akrasi Sarpong (Executive Secretary of Narcotics Control Board), Blakk Rasta on airwaves, Kofi Anan (former UN Secretary, RIP). The Rastafarian Council petitioned Nana Akrasi Sarpong on the need to legalise but he (Nana Akrasi) redirected the council to parliament. In March, 2016, the Rastafarian Council sent petition to parliament but the council was not called. The council sent amended petition again to parliament but no response was given again. The council therefore in April, 20, 2018 had press conference on the need to legalise marijuana at Mankessim, with the theme; legalisationwalk. On Wednesday, 26th June, 2019, there was 10 days court injunction on the intended legalisation demonstration organized by the Rastafarian Council. All these activities have triggered active discussions on whether to legalise or not in the media space recently.
References have been made to the economic benefits of African countries who recently decriminalized marijuana such as Zimbabwe, South Africa and Lesotho. Source; www. ghanaweb.com and Ghnewsnow.com
PhotoCredit; Ghnewsnow.com
DISCUSSIONS
Proponents views; For legalisation of marijuana.
1. Legalise and regulate for economic benefits as well as health benefits.
2. They also contend that regulating marijuana will lower street crime, and take business away from the drug cartels.
3. Marijuana use will be safer through required testing, labeling, and child-proof packaging.
5. Marijuana is less harmful than alcohol, and that adults should have the right to use it if they wish (www.marijuanaprocon.org).
6. Criminalization of marijuana has proven to be a failed public health policy for some reasons ( California Medical Association (CMA) cited in Dzidepo Hanu, http://www.peacefmonline.com).
Samuel Cudjoe Dzidepo Hanu, psychiatric nurse said “In fact, let nobody get deluded about the fact, marijuana is simply available on our streets and cheaper. As a psychiatric nurse, I am equally frustrated about the marijuana situation since patients on admission in the psychiatric hospital with diagnoses of substance abuse/dependence are able to put some coins (from benevolence donation) together and send for some rolls. Legalisation will check this anomaly by raising the cost of marijuana the production of varieties with varying strengths”.
Legalise and regulate.
1. The state should have public drug policy on marijuana comprising the following;
a) Supply reduction policy; reducing the availability and use of marijuana.
b) Harm reduction; reducing the criminal sanctions associated with possession of marijuana.
c) Demand reduction; supplying other augmenting items (like syringes for injection of marijuana) to reduce harms (such as HIV/AIDS) associated with using marijuana (Dzidepo Hanu, http://www.peacefmonline.com).
2. Availability of Trained professionals to reduce the potency of THC of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
3. Narcotics Control Board should be empowered to issue licenses to any private company or individuals who want to produce and distribute marijuana after meeting all requirements, and should revoke their licenses if they violate the rules.
a) Production process; Standardisation of growing conditions, and the genetic characteristics of the plant.
b) Distribution: specified distribution centre that meets standard.
1. It allows for explorative research for medicinal purpose.
2. It raises tax revenues to boost the economy.
3. There will be elimination of arrest.
4. It will assure product quality.
5. It will allow criminal justice resources to be redirected to other priorities.
6. It increases choices for those seeking intoxication.
7. Lastly, it cuts black markets and associated harms from corruption and violence.
HEALTH BENEFITS.
Medicinal marijuana is used to treat the following:
1. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (www.drugs.com)
2. Spasticity in multiple sclerosis ( a symptom that causes the muscles to feel stiff, heavy and difficult to move) (www.drugs.com).
3. Treatment-resistant seizures (www.drugs.com).
4. Neuropathic pain ( severe and chronic pain resulting from nerve injury, disease or toxicity) ( University of California Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research).
1. Tax cannabis; Legalisation of marijuana can help to tax cannabis which will generate revenues to boost the country’s economic. For instance, it was reported that UK generates net profit of £6.7billion per annum from UK cannabis market, however, others see this as “sin tax” (Dziedepo, 2015, http://www.peacefmonline.com).
3. The rate of mental illness as a result of marijuana use will reduce drastically, hence, the state can redirect resources to other priorities ; Trained professionals will ensure the standard potency of THC for medicinal purposes are met. For instance; Canada is reported to be one of the countries with a high rate of cannabis use while Portugal, a country that has shifted from criminal penalties to civil sanctions and treatment, is reporting very low drug use among young people, indeed, the lowest in any European country ( Dziedepo, 2015, http://www.peacefmonline.com).
4. It boosts Human Resources leading to increased productivity which reflects positively on the country’s economic. Quality products reduce Marijana use mental illness. Also, reduction of social destruction of family units as a result of marijuana use since the potency of THC is regulated to meet standards (CMA).
4. Legalisation and regulation will ensure product quality which will protect children, pregnant women, and the general public from second hand smoke since places for smoking would be created like done in other countries. Hence, there will be more productive Human Resources which boost the country’s economic (Dziedepo, 2015, wwww.peacefmonline.com).
5. Creation of canna-tourism industry. John Kagia, a researcher for New Frontier predicted that “Illinois, one of the states in the Midwest to offer recreational weed will attract more out of state visitors to tour the cannabis industry” (www.thesocialweed.com).
Photo credit; opensecrets.org
Opponents view ( Against legalisation of marijuana) (www.marijuanaprocon.org).
1. It will increase teen use, and lead to more medical emergencies including traffic deaths from driving while high.
2. They contend that revenues from legalisation fall far short of the costs in increased hospital visits, addiction treatment, environmental damage, crime, workplace accidents, and lost productivity.
3. Marijuana use harms the user physically and mentally, hence, should be not be legalised.
Negative health implications.
The opponents are of the view that marijuana is a psychoactive substance which has euphoric (happiness), dysphoric (anxiety symptoms), and relaxing effects (WHO, 2016). Hence, these effects can lead to mental disorders such as psychoses, depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviour, physical health effects such as cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, respiratory diseases and other cancers.
ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS.
The opponents accepted that through the exportation of marijuana, the country can obtain foreign exchange to boost the country’s economic but however, all those money will be used to treat marijuana use mental illness, and experience low productivity because the public will abuse the system when legalised.
Also, there is lack of trained of professionals to reduce the high potency of marijuana for medicinal purposes, and this can lead to more marijuana use mental illness.
CONCLUSION.
Systems must be put in place before marijuana is legalised in Ghana. The country must engage stakeholders and have national debate on this legalisation because this is a global phenomenon which is bound to happen in Ghana. Let’s engage, educate, and put systems in place for safe use of marijuana. Some of systems include trained professionals to monitor the production and distribution of marijuana, well equipped laboratory for trained professionals , license for those who will engage in marijuana business and others. Thank you. All comments are welcome.
Many wondered,and still wondering why God has allowed many sufferings like sickness in the world. Some too asked about the genesis of all this scary word Sickness! This article is going to discuss extensively, the scholarly views from two perspectives, namely: Religious perspective (Holy Bible, Holy Quran) and scientific perspective. Before the discussion proceed, please have in mind the various types of sickness; Physical sickness, psychological sickness, physiological sickness, spiritual sickness etc. All these will be discussed alongside.
Micro-organisms. PhotoCredit: safespaceco.com Holy Bible, and Holy Quran. PhotoCredit: Albert Afeso Akanbi (WordPress.com)
THE GENESIS OF SICKNESS: SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE (PHYSICAL & PHYSIOLOGICAL).
Physical in simple term is the human body, apart from the mind and the spirit while physiological is the normal functioning of the human body ( Advanced English Dictionary).
The debate on the existence of disease started in the seventeenth century when Louis Pasteur discovered the germ theory of disease which explained that specific diseases are caused by specific micro-organisms ( cannot be seen by the naked eye but microscope). These micro-organisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, Protozoa etc. Before the discovery, Antoni Van Leuwenhock was the first to see bacteria with a microscope ( http://www.bmj.com, http://www.encyclopedia.com).
Dr. Alan L. Gillen(2007) in his book titled The Genesis of Germs; The origin of diseases and the coming plaques posed the following questions;
1. Did God make microbes by mistake?
2. Are they accidents of evolution, out of the primordial soup?
3. What would this world be like without the unseen?
These micro-organisms might be harmless and beneficial but harmful too. Some micro-organisms within the environment are harmless but harmful when they get into a living organism, this explained why Dr. Alan asked that Did God make microbes by mistake?
Dr. Alan (2007) said that “5% of the bacteria reflect decay and degeneration from the original plan”. He added that “disease was not the Creator’s original plan, but rather a reflection of man’s sin, the curse placed on nature”.
Benefits of microbes/ micro-organisms.
Dr Alan (2007) further argued that “microbes are powerful influencing our lives whether we acknowledge it or not, that is life and microbes are inseparable”. One key thing that was deduced from Dr. Alan’s book in relation to Did God create sickness? was that microbes were originally created for our good, and also for us to appreciate the creativity, diversity, intelligence, and the beauty of Creatures by the Almighty God.
Some of the benefits of microbes include (Dr. Alan, 2007); 1. Some microbes ferment our food such as corn dough, flour for bread or dough nut etc, and make them useful products for man.
2. Some microbes are part of our food such as milk, yoghurt and others to make it rich food for us.
3. Some microbes especially the enteric bacteria supply our bodies with vitamin K, Vitamin B12, thiamin and riboflavin which we need for normal body functioning.
4. Some industries use bacteria for sewage treatment as well as commercial production of amino acids. In a nutshell, bacteria are necessary for balance in the ecosystem.
On the contrary, microbes caused, and are causing most diseases such as communicable diseases like tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, etc. Was this originally part of the plan for creating microbes? The answer is No, but human activities.
PhotoCredit: cogprints.org It is also mind bothering if you observe closely the treatment of microbes disease; the same organism causing the disease are used in attenuated (dead) form in the production of vaccines as well as the enzymes produced by these micro-organisms to produce the drugs for treatment.
THE HOLY BIBLE PERSPECTIVE (SPIRITUAL).
Spiritual simply means the spirit or soul (Advanced English Dictionary).
Genesis 1:27-28 which says that So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Then 28 down; And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be faithful, and multiple, and replenish the earth, and subdue it;…………………
From this, it is clear that God did not create sickness but let see what happen.
In Romans 5:12, it says Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. So some are of the view that we get sick as a result of the first human rebellion against God (www.jw.org>magazines>whydowegetsick/whattheBiblesays)
However, there is hope confirmed in Matthew 9:11-13 which says And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciplines, why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice; for I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
HOLY QURAN PERSPECTIVE ( SPIRITUAL).
Quran 2:168 says O men! eat the lawful and good things out of what is in the earth, and do not follow the footsteps of the shaitan ; surelyhe is your open enemy.
Quran 7:179 which says And certainly We have created for hell many of the Jinn and the men; they have hearts with which they do not understand, and they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear; they are as cattle, nay, they are in worse errors; these are the heedless ones.
Also, narrated by Hazrat Ayesha in Al-Bukhari that There’s no disease that Allah created, except that He also created its treatment (www.quranexplorer.com). This means that Allah did not originally create sickness but later happened due to the activities of man.
CONCLUSION
The lessons that can be learnt from this narrative from the scientific and religious perspectives is that the Sin-factor or human activities led to the existence of diseases in this world. The good news is that God is all merciful and forgiving but our activities now are still creating more diseases than before. Let us all endeavour to make this world a better place to live, and for the yet to be born generations. Whatever we do, let first ask ourselves the implications; When we pollute the air with smoke, gas, poisonous substances, etc the question is what is its implication? When we improperly dispose waste, ask yourself the implications? When we lie, ask yourself the implications? Let make our spiritual, physical, psychological and physiological health healthy, and God will bless us. Don’t forget to frequently wash your hands with soap under running water before you touch anything edible or your mouth or nostril to break the chain of infections. As time goes on, we will discuss health in broader perspectives. Thank you for reading. All comments are welcome.
Author: Malcolm Chibaro Ali, Mental Health Nurse at Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, Accra-Ghana. Source: nursinginghana.com
The comments by the first deputy speaker of parliament and the minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu and Joseph Osei-Owusu respectively on the floor of parliament in the wake of the debate to decriminalize attempted suicide are very unfortunate.I had long thought that Haruna Iddrisu, the much-touted walking encyclopedia of Ghana’s parliament was indeed the Einstein until his unfortunate comment or rather a dishonest thought.
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu commented that parliament should not decriminalize attempted suicide, and that the country should continue to jail persons who attempt to commit suicide to serve as a deterrent to others is a sad one to note. Haruna Iddrisu even made his case unconvincing by citing a scenario where a man hanged himself after having a fight with his sister, saying, people like that cannot be said to have a mental illness. The minority leader ought to be told that mental illness comes in various forms and it is not only those who roam naked on the street.
THE SYLLOGISM ABOUT ATTEMPTED SUICIDE LAW IN GHANA.
Over 90% of persons who commit suicide have mental problems in one way or the other underlying their actions. Surprisingly, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu rather sees altruistic suicide as a justifiable act but condemns suicide in depression and stress. He stated, “You do not want to think that when you have depression and distress, the ultimate thing is that you go and take your life since you cannot recover your life back”. In this era of internet buzz, the gentle minority leader could have done himself good by doing a simple search rather than making an unsubstantiated statement.
Is Hon. Huruna Iddrisu oblivion of section 76 (10) of the Mental Health Act, 2012 or the parliament’s walking encyclopedia didn’t revise his notes before the debate? The criminal code section 57(2) of the criminal offences Act, 1960 (act 29) which criminalizes attempted suicide in Ghana is contrary to section 76 (10) of the Mental Health Act (Act 846) which clearly states, “A court may authorize for psychiatric assessment of a person who attempts to commit suicide”.
In this vein, the Mental Health Authority and other stakeholders have organized several workshops for Judges and Magistrates across the country on how to suspect mental illness in line of their duties and to refer them to the psychiatric hospitals for assessment.
The Mental Health Advocacy Gh also petitioned parliament to repeal this colonial era-law thus section 57(2) of the criminal offences act, 1960 (Act 29) which has outlived its purpose.
FACTS ABOUT ATTEMPTED SUICIDE CASES IN THE COURT IN GHANA.
The first deputy speaker of parliament, honorable Joseph Osei-Owusu on the other hand claims no person have been prosecuted in Ghana for attempting to commit suicide and that the call to decriminalize the law is needless. Is the Bekwai MP really serious? Evidence abounds on the internet and the Hon. MP could have sought help by a simple search rather than exposing his ignorance. The evidences are there:
In 2011, a farmer in the Ashanti region was convicted and sentenced to 3 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to attempted suicide. The farmer was said to have claimed that he was not loved by his community and so he decided to kill himself from this world by cutting his throat but was fortunately rescued by a passer-by. The Good Samaritan reported him to the police where he was medically treated in a hospital and subsequently jailed. This was a case of mental illness who needed psychiatric treatment but instead, he was given a jail sentence to worsen his plight. See https://www.modernghana.com/news/329852/suicide-man-jailed.html
GLOBAL REPEAL OF DECRIMINALISATION OF ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.
The comments by these two MPs tell industry players in the mental health sector that a lot more education and awareness creation about mental illness needs to be done to demystify the myth surrounding mental illness.
It is interesting to note that England abolished its laws criminalizing attempted suicide in 1961, only a year after the same law was passed in Ghana, the then Gold Coast, yet Ghana and several of the British former colonies continue to maintain and criminalizes attempted suicide instead of also repealing same.
Countries that have decriminalized attempted suicide including India, Canada, South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia, according to media reports have recorded a significant decrease in the suicide rate.
CONCLUSION
It is the hope that Ghana will also repeal and decriminalize attempted suicide. Suicide is a psychological or mental problem that needs psychiatric treatment, not imprisonment. Suicide is a call for help.
The writer, Malcolm Ali is a mental health advocate and a psychiatric nurse at Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital.
Did God create sickness? will come out very soon but it is important to let you know that be Breast cancer aware and informed everyday and every month, not only the pink month, October. This leads us to what Breast cancer is.
Be breast cancer aware! Photo credit: Goldman Awuku.
Breast cancer is the disease of the Breast and its surrounding tissues caused by abnormally growing cells that invade healthy cells of the Breast. As these abnormal cells grow, they form a lump which enlarges as time goes on if not detected early, and spread to other organs and systems like the lungs, liver, brain, bone etc via the blood vessels or lymphatic vessels (metastasis).
Incidence
In 2012, more than 2000 new cases in Ghana with 1000 deaths (Breast cancer clinic, KBTH).
In 2018, more than 4,600 new cases in Ghana with 2000 deaths, 580 new cases alone in KBTH (Breast cancer clinic, KBTH).
Causes
No known cause but risk factors which means that those factors increase the chance of getting the disease. These include the following:
1. Common among women (female sex). According to WHO, 1.2% of Breast cancer cases is men.
2. Increasing age especially female.
3. Positive family history like mother, sister or daughter.
4. Previous history of breast cancer.
5. Female hormones like estrogen leading to early onset of menstruation.
6. Having no children.
7. Obesity.
8. Lack of exercise.
9. Alcohol intake.
10. Fatty diet and others.
Be breast cancer informed! Be responsible! PhotoCredit: Goldman Awuku.
Signs and Symptoms
1. Obvious lump in the breast (feeling a lump in your breast during breast examination).
2. Sometimes, you may not feel a lump in the breast but a swollen axilla (armpit), there is alarm to seek for medical advice.
3. Partly swollen around the breast/change in the size of the breast (when you see the breast is enlarged than the normal). Naturally, one breast is bigger than the other but unusual enlargement is an alarm.
4. Discoloration around the breast like orange or dark brown.
5. Rashes or sores like the skin is peeling off especially around the nipple.
6. Inverted nipples/ nipple retraction (but this might be normal for some people).
7. Dimpling on the breast when looking in the mirror or during breast examination.
8. Nipple discharge such as bloody discharge.
NB; when there’s pain in the breast, then it is likely breast cancer has advanced, please don’t wait for pain before seeking medical attention but the above signs and symptoms because early detection, early treatment saves life.
Also, not all lumps in the breast are cancerous.
Clinical Assessment And Diagnosis
1. Signs and symptoms
2. Breast examination
Breast examination (self examination). Video credit; Breast health foundation, #clearthestigma.
3. Mammogram: this helps to detect breast cancer that wasn’t detected during breast examination (micro-metastasis). Sometimes, no lump is detected during breast examination but after mammogram, it showed breast cancer.
4. Ultrasound scan
5. Biopsy; a small tissue of lump is taking to the laboratory for the study of the cells (histopathology).
Stages of breast
The pathology report helps to know the stage of breast cancer using the TNM ( primary tumor, lymph nodes and metastasis/spread).
Treatment
All hope is not lost for anyone diagnosed with breast cancer. The key thing is early reporting leads to early detection which also leads to early treatment, increasing the survival rate. Breast cancer treatment depends stage of the disease, the pathology (study of disease) reports, menopausal status, overall health of the patient, and the decision of the patient. One secret about breast cancer treatment is acceptance ( that is accepting that you have the disease, and now cooperating with the treatment strictly).
Breast cancer treatment needs a multidisciplinary team approach to achieve good results. The multidisciplinary team include the surgeon (surgical treatment), oncologist (radiotherapy and chemotherapy), breast care nurse (Patient’s advocate), and psychologist (psychological support).
Additionally, everyone is unique in his or her own way, so please friends, colleagues and family, do not stigmatize people with breast cancer, they need your support, accept them the way they are, put yourself in their shoes. It may happen to anyone, a survivor message to you is that breast cancer does not know your status. Medical as well as family support leads to high survival rate (A survivor message).
Prevention of breast cancer.
1. Exclusive breastfeeding can prevent the risk of getting breast but not sucking of the breast by your partner. Breastfeeding helps to delay the production of female hormones like estrogen which will promote the growth of the breast cancer cells . Sucking of the breast by your partner can only help to detect early if there’s a lump as the partner plays with the breast.
2. Self-aware of our body is very key (A survivor message): monthly self- breast examination or professional breast examination, all the signs and symptoms discussed above like unusual change of size of the breast, discoloration of the breast and others.
Self-Breast examination. Video credit: unknown source.
3. Healthy lifestyle like good diet; low intake of fatty diet, eat more fruits and vegetables ( this produces antitoxins to kill and remove the carcinogens (cancer cells) from the body system), regular exercise, avoid alcohol intake, avoid smoking and others.
Misconceptions about breast cancer.
Please note that breast cancer is never contagious (that’s communicable), never a curse, and does not always start with painful symptoms. Breast cancer is also never a “death sentence “. Most people also think breast cancer only affects women( old) but can affect men also, and as young females as seventeen (17) years.
Others think that once one breast is cut off, you will die which is untrue. Some even say when a child belches into your breast during breastfeeding, you will get breast cancer which is also not true. Some associate the cause of the disease with family planning which is false. Others think only those with a positive family history are at risk but everyone is at risk so must be self-aware of our breast. Thank you so much for reading. Let us all be breast cancer aware, and be informed everyday, every month, every year, and not only pink month (October)!
Be breast cancer aware! Be informed! Be responsible!
I acknowledged Breast cancer clinic, Surgical department, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra-Ghana for the Breast Cancer Information Day. I also acknowledged my colleagues at the graduate school, Ghana Institute of Journalism for the pictures.
Did you know that health is wealth? The secret of happiness is arguably good health! It is common in recent times, seeing some people looking for wealth but paying less attention to healthy lifestyle. Sometimes, wealth cannot buy health but with good lifestyle practices, you are much safer, and one gets to know good health practices by acquiring information from health professionals as well as credible health online site. Today, let discuss the essence of being aware of our personal health in today’s society. I am Kwasi Omaro Mohammed Musah, a health care provider at Korle-Bu Teaching, and a graduate communicator from Ghana Institute of Journalism as well as a candidate (MA in Development Communication) in the same school.
PhotoCredit: Mercy University Hospital (mug.ie).
According to the WHO, ‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental, social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. It is important to know about our health as well as being responsible for it due to the following reasons; 1.Higher likelihood of life longitivtiy. 2. Prevention of avoidable deaths through early detection of some disease. 3. Religious requirements ( Holy Bible and Holy Quran).
Health is life!
Dr. Charles Mayo (1990) explained that when we eat nutritious diet, we build good immune system, this protects us against disease. Below is his (Dr. Charles Mayo) quote.
We’re all afraid of germs…….. but what we should be afraid of is lowered resistance which comes from within……… Normal resistance to disease is directional dependent upon adequate food. It never comes of pill boxes….. Adequate food is the cradle of normal resistance, the playground of normal immunity, the workshop of good health and the laboratory of long life
Dr. Charles Mayo (1990)
Ourworldindata.org in 2016 pointed out that most causes of death in the world is Non Communicable Disease (NCD) accounting 70% deaths (WHO, 2016). NCD such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease and others are mostly lifestyle related diseases. It is therefore necessary to search for basic principles of lifestyle in order to achieve good health to live longer as the Creator has given us. Lifestyle practices are about diet, activities of daily living etc. My respected readers, Tom Damour (2002) once whispered that we can protect our health to live longer by changing the way we think about food, this is one secret about good health!
Why do people get sick? Sickness is not a natural state of being. Learn how to protect your health by changing the way you think about food
Tom Damour (2002)
PhotoCredit: Legacy Foundation Hartford (www.legacyfoundationhartford.org)
In addition, knowing about our health helps us to be health-conscious such that avoidable deaths are prevented. If you are concerned about your health, and valued it more than wealth, you cultivate the habit of regular medical check-ups at least every three to six months within the year. This will help early detection of a recessive disease, and as the adage goes; “early detection saves life”. This comes into play because early detection leads to early treatment, and this can save our life. My learned readers, it is also very important to report early at the hospital if we observe unusual signs and symptoms in our everyday health because early detection leads to early treatment which will save our life.
PhotoCredit: Albert Afeso Akanbi (WordPress.com)
Last but not least respected readers, it is a religious requirement especially from the Christianity and Islamic perspectives to be responsible for our health. From the Holy Bible, Romans 14:17 which says “the Kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit while it is very important to make sure we nourish our bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit, it is critical that Christians keep their focus on the spiritual” then Deuteronomy 30:19 says “ I have set before you, life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live”.
Colleagues and Senior colleagues, when you also look at 1Corinthians 6:20 which reads that “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”. It is our responsibility to live a righteous life to fulfil what the Holy Bible says.
The Holy Quran in Chapter 2:168 says that “eat of what’s lawful and wholesome on earth”, then when you read same chapter down to 172, it reads that “eat the good things which we have provided for you”. Another interesting verse in the Holy Quran is Quran 2:195 which says “and make not your own hands contribute to your own destruction (harm)”. My dear readers, a word to the wise is enough! Kindly expect my next article titled “ Did God create Sickness?”
I acknowledged the following people for their massive contributions on this article; Mr. Hayford Loiuse ( Public Relations Expert), Mr. Mahmoud Issahaku (Nursing Officer at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital), and Mr. Segtub Martins ( Lecturer at Ghana Institute of Journalism). Thank you.
Kwasi Omaro 