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5 health stories that terrified Ghanaians in 2018

There were some nervy moments in 2018 in the health sector.
ambulance
ambulance

From disease outbreak to inadequate infrastructure, the health sector dominated newspaper reports and online portals.

Here are some five health stories that terrified Ghanaians.

Inadequate ambulance

ambulance

ambulance

It came to light that the Ghana has only 55 ambulances serving 28 million Ghanaians.

Multiple media reports claimed citizens often used taxis to convey sick relatives to the hospital.

Meanwhile, government has announced that some 275 ambulances will be arriving in the country in 2019 as part of its promise to provide $1 million to every constituency.

No bed syndrome

no bed

no bed

The nation was hit by a ‘no bed syndrome,’ a situation where health officials turn away patients who need emergency care for lack of beds.

The phenomenon came to light after a 70-year-old man died after his family spent hours transporting him from one facility to another to seek medical attention.

It also came to light that there are only 3,400 beds serving 5 million people living in Accra.

Contaminated tilapia

tilapia-

tilapia-

There was alarm after report emerged that some fishmongers from Volivo, Alabonya and Aveloenye near Asutsuare in the Shai Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region, were carting dead tilapia for processing as dry salted fish locally known as ‘koobi’. No knew what 4

Dr Bawumia sick; George Andah, involved accident

bawumia

bawumia

There was panic after the Jubilee House (former Flagstaff House) announced that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia had been flown to the UK for medical treatment. A statement from the Chief of Staff said the trip became necessary following the advice of Dr. Bawumia’s doctors.

“The Vice President of the Republic, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on Friday, 19th January, 2018, left Ghana for the United Kingdom for medical leave, on advice of his doctors. He was accompanied by the 2nd Lady, Hajia Samira Bawumia,” a statement said.

Also, the Deputy Communications Minister, George Andah, was involved in an accident at Awutu Senya West in the Central Region. He was flown to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment.

Tramadol abuse

tramadol

tramadol

The Food and Drugs Authority placed a restriction on Tramadol use and distribution following abuse of the drug in some parts of the country.

Tramadol is a man-made (synthetic) narcotic painkiller and is usually prescribed to patients suffering from moderate to severe pain. Preparations containing Tramadol are classified as Prescription Only Medicines (POM).

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