Cases of NCD in Central Tongu alarming – Health Director

Mr. Baba Awuni, the Central Tongu District Health Director, has warned that hypertension and diabetes are becoming major causes of death and disability.

Speaking at a commissioning of a Health Kiosk in Adidome, Mr. Awuni raised serious concern over the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the district, warning that that hypertension complications were the leading cause of institutional mortalities in the first half of 2025.

He further noted that the incidence of Diabetes Mellitus within the same period rose by 8.16 percent compared to the corresponding period in 2024.

Mr. Awuni said: “District health records show that total reported NCD cases increased from 14,758 in 2023 to 15,326 in 2024. New hypertension cases also rose from 1,478 in 2023 to 1,569 in 2024, while outpatient department (OPD) attendance reached 91,016 cases in the last reporting year.”

He expressed concern that many adults in Central Tongu remain unaware of their blood pressure and sugar levels, often discovering their conditions only during emergencies or after severe complications have set in.

“These diseases are largely preventable and manageable when detected early, but late presentation continues to undermine our efforts to save lives,” he said, calling for urgent and sustained public health education.

The Health Directorate, he said, would intensify community sensitisation, screening exercises, and preventive health campaigns.

Mr. Awuni welcomed initiatives such as the recently commissioned health kiosks, which he said would bring basic screening and health services closer to residents in markets, transport hubs, and rural communities.

He stressed that early detection, lifestyle modification, and regular medical check-ups were key to reducing the growing burden of NCDs in Central Tongu.

Source: GNA

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