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Free dialysis programme ongoing in selected facilities – Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare

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Former Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, has affirmed that Ghana’s free dialysis programme is currently operational across selected health facilities.

His statement comes in response to criticisms from Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who condemned the previous administration for allocating only GH¢4 million to the programme, calling it grossly insufficient to meet the needs of dialysis patients nationwide.

Akandoh, who previously served as the Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, raised concerns over Ghana’s lack of a sustainable funding mechanism for dialysis treatment. He argued that GH¢4 million was inadequate, given the high cost of dialysis sessions, medical consumables, and overall patient care.

However, speaking on Point Blank on Eyewitness News on March 13, 2025, Dr. Nsiah-Asare dismissed claims that the programme was struggling due to funding constraints.

“We all saw in dailies that 20 facilities were published by the National Health Insurance Authority for this free dialysis in December 2024 after assessment for patients had been done.

“These services, as I know, are currently ongoing smoothly in the various selected facilities and have been confirmed severally by the president of the dialysis association, Major Ahenkra. You can call him to confirm, you can also call some of the dialysis patients to confirm if they are not receiving free dialysis.

“You can also call some of the institutions if they are not being reimbursed through the National Health Insurance.

“This is because it is part of the policy package for this year. As you are aware, the health insurance brought in 45 dialysis machines within a three-partner collaboration, which were used to support the free dialysis programme.

“So, I can say free dialysis is ongoing as far as I am concerned. Because the budgetary allocation of GH¢57 million, which was captured in the appropriation bill for the first quarter, dialysis has been covered.”

Dr. Nsiah-Asare’s remarks highlight ongoing efforts to sustain the initiative despite concerns over funding.

Source: Citi Newsroom

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Health

Silva Lady’s Birthday: Royal Dach Pharmaceuticals to Offer Free Skin & Dental Screening on September 6

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The health initiative, taking place at the Adabraka forecourt of Royal Dach Pharmaceuticals, forms part of Silva Lady’s role as Brand Ambassador and her commitment to community wellness.

Royal Dach Pharmaceuticals has announced a free skin and dental screening exercise in celebration of the birthday of media personality, philanthropist, and Brand Ambassador for the company Silva Lady, which falls on September 7th. The initiative will take place on Saturday, September 6, at the forecourt of Royal Dach Pharmaceuticals in Adabraka, Accra (behind the Franko Trading Enterprise building), beginning promptly at 7:00 AM.

The event is designed to encourage Ghanaians to prioritise preventive healthcare, offering families, children, and individuals the opportunity to undergo professional skin and dental checks at no cost.

The program is expected to attract residents from across Accra and beyond, with medical professionals on hand to provide comprehensive skin and dental check-ups. Organisers believe the exercise will help create awareness about the importance of preventive healthcare, especially at a time when many overlook routine medical checks due to busy schedules or financial constraints.

The management of Royal Dach Pharmaceuticals has emphasised its commitment to corporate social responsibility and community support. Partnering with its Brand Ambassador, offering this free exercise is a way of giving back to society.

Members of the public are encouraged to share the information and take advantage of this opportunity. For further inquiries, individuals can contact 0243150609 or 0561886515.

The free health screening exercise not only highlights Silva Lady’s dedication to social impact but also reinforces Royal Dach Pharmaceuticals’ mission of promoting wellness in Ghanaian communities.

Come one, come all, let’s make health a priority while we celebrate Silva Lady’s birthday.

 

ROYAL BEAUTY BRAND AMBASSADOR.

Silva Lady (Silva Foundation / DL FM).

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Health

Ridge Nurse Drags Social Media Influencer to Court, Demands GHS 7m for Assault and Defamation

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Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, a nurse at Ridge Hospital, has taken social media personality Ralph Saint Williams, popularly known as Ralph De Fellow Ghanaian, to court after accusing him of physically assaulting her and damaging her reputation online.

 

The civil suit, filed at the Accra High Court on August 20, 2025, seeks a total of GHS 7 million in damages — GHS 5 million for assault and GHS 2 million for defamation.

 

According to her lawyers, Bortei was attacked on August 17 during a chaotic incident involving relatives of a patient. She claims the assault left her with a dislocated shoulder and a hand injury, making it difficult for her to work.

 

The nurse also says Ralph worsened the situation by going public with defamatory comments, calling her a “liar” and accusing her of faking her injuries to cover up alleged issues at the hospital.

 

Bortei is asking the court to order Ralph to:

 

Apologize and retract his comments publicly.

 

Stop making further defamatory remarks.

 

Stay at least 50 meters away from her.

 

Pay legal fees and other costs.

 

 

The court has given Ralph eight days to respond to the suit or risk judgment being entered against him.

 

Meanwhile, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has tasked a new committee with investigating the rising cases of assault on nurses and health workers at Ridge Hospital, giving them one week to present their findings.

 

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New Heart Guidelines Call for Stricter Blood Pressure Control and Alcohol Abstinence

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Starting now, doctors may take a firmer approach to managing high blood pressure, and enjoying that nightly glass of wine or weekend cocktail could be discouraged. The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) released updated blood pressure guidelines on Thursday, their first since 2017.

 

The new guidelines reflect the latest research aimed at helping medical providers reduce heart disease—the world’s leading cause of death—by controlling one of its most modifiable risk factors: blood pressure. Proper management can also lower the risk of kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and dementia.

 

Nearly half of U.S. adults have elevated blood pressure. While the definition of “normal” remains the same—less than 120/80 mmHg, with 120–129/80 mmHg considered elevated—patients with readings of 130/80 mmHg or higher are now urged to take action.

 

Blood pressure measures the force of blood against arterial walls, expressed as systolic (pressure while the heart beats) over diastolic (pressure while the heart rests) in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). High blood pressure often has no symptoms but strains the heart and arteries, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke.

 

Updated Treatment Approach

For patients with systolic pressure between 130–139 mmHg, doctors should first recommend lifestyle changes. If blood pressure remains high after three to six months, medication may be prescribed—a shift from the 2017 guidelines, which suggested medication only for readings above 140 mmHg.

 

Lifestyle changes include maintaining a healthy weight, following a heart-healthy diet, reducing salt intake, managing stress, getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly, and including resistance training.

 

A notable update is the recommendation to avoid alcohol. Previously, moderate drinking was considered acceptable—up to one drink per day for women and two for men. Research now shows alcohol can negatively affect blood pressure, prompting the guideline’s shift toward abstinence, with lower limits for those who choose to drink.

 

Focus on Brain Health and Pregnancy

The new guidelines also highlight that lowering blood pressure may reduce dementia risk. Additionally, women planning pregnancy or already pregnant are encouraged to monitor blood pressure closely, as elevated readings can harm both mother and child and increase long-term risk.

 

Dietary guidance still emphasizes the DASH diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and vegetable oils, while low in fat, sugar, and tropical oils. Sodium intake should ideally be below 1,500 mg daily, with a maximum of 2,300 mg. Increasing potassium intake through home cooking and salt substitutes is also recommended.

 

For those with overweight or obesity, a weight loss of at least 5% is advised. More severe cases may require diet, exercise, weight-loss medications like GLP-1s, or even surgery.

 

Dr. Daniel Jones, chair of the AHA writing committee, acknowledges these steps can be challenging but emphasizes their effectiveness:

“It’s hard, but it works. Eating well, reducing sodium, and managing weight can dramatically improve your health if you commit to it.”

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