In the 21st century, many people are exploring the option to delay parenthood in favour of first overcoming an illness or even laying a foundation of financial stability and emotional maturity. Dr. Mmaselemo Tsuari is a fertility specialist at St Philip's Private Hospital. She says fertility preservation is a practice that saves healthy eggs, sperm…
1. Blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol screening These three screenings help you understand the level of your heart health. All adults over the age of 20 should get a blood pressure check every two years and a blood glucose and cholesterol check every two to four years. After the age of 40 every adult…
In 1951 the United States Commission of Chronic Illness defined screening as “the presumptive identification of unrecognised disease or defect by the application of tests, examinations, or other procedures which can be applied rapidly. A screening test is done to detect potential health abnormalities or illness in people who do not have any symptoms of…
There are 2 main areas of vascular disease that are common. Arterial disease (stroke, gangrene, kidney failure, etc) and venous disease (deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, etc). Arterial disease is usually more serious and maintaining good health can go a long way in preventing or minimizing the effects of arterial disease. Common arterial pathologies we…
Ninety-nine percent of cervical cancers are directly linked to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Dr. Esther Rockson, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at St Philip's Private Hospital, is on a mission to eradicate this statistic in Ghana. Dr. Rockson says HPV is quite simply a sexually transmitted virus that affects both sexes. This virus is widespread…
Tuberculosis is bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. It commonly affects the Lungs, but can affect other organs like the Gastrointestinal system, kidney, bones and the brain. It remains the highest cause of death amongst the infectious diseases. 2 billion people have latent TB and in 2009 it resulted in the death of 1,7million people….
Although more common in older adults than young people, Glaucoma is a serious condition that could lead to vision impairment. Dr. Celeste Steenberg is an Ophthalmologist at Busamed Hillcrest Private Hospital. She says while the condition is irreversible, the management of it is possible and based on the type you have and how severe it…
There is a noticeable increase in diagnosis in the number of young breast cancer patients in Ghana. Dr. Nokwanda Zuma is an Oncologist at St Philip's Private Hospital. She says that breast cancer is no longer an elderly person’s disease. “Previously, many decades ago, we would typically see breast cancer in patients over the…
Whilst much has been done to stimulate awareness of Down Syndrome, surprisingly little is understood about the disorder. Dr. Wessels is a Paediatrician at Busamed Harrismith Private Hospital. He is passionate about the disorder and says more needs to be done to highlight the remarkable achievements people with the condition have made. ‘Downs’ as it…
