1 in every 4 Ghanaians to get stroke in the next 10 years – WHO data
The World Health Organization (WHO) statistics estimate that 94,000 people in Ghana get stroke each year.
According to WHO, if nothing is done to reduce the factors that cause stroke, one in every four Ghanaians will get a stroke in the next 10 to 20 years.
These were revealed during a session in Accra called “High-Level Engagement on the Elimination of Trans-fatty Acids (TFA) in Ghana” to start a project on trans-fatty acids.
The Institute of Leadership and Development (INSLA) launched the project, which was dubbed “Making Ghana TFA Free to Improve Heart Health”
Trans-fatty acids (TFA) are synthetic fats that are formed using a process known as hydrogenation, which involves mixing fat (usually vegetable oils) with hydrogen to make it more saturated.
They may be especially harmful to heart health and may increase the risk of cancer.
Trans-fats are an unsaturated fat that has been linked to a variety of health problems.
When liquid vegetable oils are converted into semi-solid partially hydrogenated oil, artificial trans-fats are formed. Natural sources of trans-fats include beef and dairy products.
The difficulties linked with trans-fatty acids, according to INSLA Director Mr Benjamin Anabila, are a possible national calamity that could “surpass the destruction produced by COVID-19 in the country.”
TFA has been recognized as the primary cause of cardiovascular disease and stroke, according to him.
Cardiovascular disorders, stroke, peripheral arterial diseases, and aortic disease, he claimed, have grown in importance in the global public health arena, with cardiovascular diseases now becoming the leading cause of mortality.
According to Mr Anabila, 17.5 million individuals died worldwide from cardiovascular illnesses in 2012, accounting for 31% of all deaths.
The first phase of the 18-month project, he said, would aim to raise awareness about TFAs’ detrimental effects and argue for their removal from the country.
Only South Africa and Kenya, he added, have been able to completely eliminate TFAs from their food chains.
Dr Phyllis Addo, a lecturer at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), noted that, unlike saturated fats, which raises bad cholesterol, TFAs lower good cholesterol and raise the risk of heart disease.
She claimed that there was currently no policy in place in the country regarding the need to eliminate TFAs and that as a result, producers had taken advantage of the loophole to dump TFA-containing items and oils such as snacks, baked goods, and fried meals in the country.
She urged people to read labels on anything they bought for consumption to avoid being poisoned.
Mr Mark Atuahene, the Ministry of Health’s acting Head of Public Health and Health Promotion, said the ministry was ready to work with stakeholders to develop a policy on TFAs in the country.
Dr Elise Kodjoe, a WHO spokesperson, said the World Health Organization was leading a global drive to remove trans-fats by 2030.
Source: Richard Mensah Adonu | Join our Telegram Group
