HI FOUNDATION GH

FUNDED HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES PROJECTS

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 07:20:17 -0800

Executive Summary of theproject

• Non-communicablediseases pose aconsiderable disease burden to healthcare delivery in Africa. They include hypertension, chronic respiratory tract diseases, diabetes, and cancers. The health sector report in 2018 by the GHS demonstrated that cardiovascular diseases and diabetes consistently fall within the top twenty outpatient morbidity. Critical interventions at health systems level are needed to support health systems preparedness for the management of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes at the primary level health facility in Ghana. The project was awarded to HI Foundation and implemented by the Ghana Health Service (GHS)/ Bono Regional Health Directorate. The project was fully funded by German-based non-governmental organization (Pharmacists without borders Germany, "Apotheker ohne Grenzen Deutschland e.V") Overall, the project aims building capacity for screening and management of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in four selected district Hospitals in the Bono Region. The facilities are Kwatire Government Hospital, Tain District Hospital, the Drobo St Marys Hospital and Wenchi Methodists Hospital

District Hospital Diabetes andcardiovascular diseases project (Training-Phase I)
The training started on December7, 2021, atthe Drobo StMary'ss Hospital, followed by Tain District hospital, Wenchi Government Hospital, and finally, on December 14, 2021, at the Kwatire District Hospital. Across all Hospitals, the facilitating team prior to the training sessions engaged with the hospital management to inform them of the motive of the training as earlier communicated. Again, debriefing meetings were also held with management to solicit their support for implementing post-training action plans in the respective facilities. To a very large...Read More

Follow up of our Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Project

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 07:20:21 -0800

As a follow up of our Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Project, Our Partners Apotheker Ohne Grenzen visited our Project Sites in the Bono Region of Ghana to evaluate the gains made in supporting Health systems to implement a Team based approach to Hypertension management.

Logistic support for the management of NCDs

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 07:20:08 -0800

Clinical logistics remains a major challenge in thescreening and Diagnosis of Non communicable diseases in Ghana. In fact, there is compelling evidence of shortage of logistics such as glucometers, glucometer strips, Haemoglobin A1c devices, advanced optical diagnostics among other. In the absence of advanced technology, most cases including cataract go undiagnosed particularly in low resource settings in Ghana. In line with the commitment of HI Foundation to support NCD response in Ghana, the Director of the foundation donated his share of clinical logistics worth over €6,000 as part of the workplace equipment support subsidiaries for returning experts funded by GIZ/CIM to the Tain District Hospitals. We are hopeful that the Tonometer and other equipment will support screening of cataract and day to day administrative activities of the hospital. We say Thank you GIZ/CIM for this outstanding support.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE SYMPOSIUM

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 06:41:34 -0800

On 5th October 2023 HI Foundation was featured on the Heart Nurses podcast episode to discuss the importance of team-based care and a patient-centered approach to managing hypertension and diabetes. Healthcare leaders play a mentoring role by creating opportunities for capacity building and nurturing interest of young professionals in hypertension control.

THOMAS' JOURNEY

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 23:12:50 -0800

"It is an honour of a lifetime to share this great feat and experiences, especially in Deutschland. I am Thomas Kwadwo Hinneh, a Senior Officer of the Ghana Health Service and a Co-Founder and Director of HI Foundation Ghana. I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. Internationally, I am a member of the health professionals’ network of the International Federation of Diabetes and a Fellow of the African Changemakers’ initiative among others.
The decision to study in Germany and for that matter the Heidelberg University’s Institute of Global Health was not an easy one. In 2019, I was awarded four globally most competitive scholarships in the world and I recount my experience so far in Germany as one of the most transforming events in my life. My passion for addressing the burden of Hypertension and Diabetes transcends beyond the borders of assisting clients to cope with their daily lives but also embracing the emerging medical evolution in long-term disease management. While in Germany I had the opportunity to participate in one of the largest expert debates on endocrinology and diabetes and I believe I am well placed in addressing gaps in diabetes management in Ghana.
As per the course arrangement, I arrived in the beautiful city of Cologne at the Carl Duisberg Centren to acquaint myself with the German language before the commencement of the main course; indeed this was both exciting and challenging. The Master of Science International Health program at the Heidelberg University is highly recognized for providing the relevant tools and skills needed to address issues of health beyond national borders with much emphasis on low and middle-income countries. The academic excellence of the institute is reflected in numerous international rankings. Key elements of the course that provides participants with much-needed industry skills are led by accomplished...Read More

WDD2019

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 01:15:09 -0800

Families are urged to learn more about the warning signs of diabetes and find out their risk of type 2 diabetes. Research conducted by IDF in 2018 discovered that parents would struggle to spot this serious life-long condition in their own children. Despite the majority of people surveyed having a family member with diabetes, an alarming four-in-five parents would have trouble recognizing the warning signs. One-in-three wouldn’t spot them at all.

The findings underline the need for education and awareness to help people spot the diabetes warning signs early.

A lack of knowledge about diabetes means that spotting the warning signs is not just a problem for parents, but is an issue impacting a cross-section of society. This is a major concern, due to the signs being milder in type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent form of the condition, responsible for around 90% of all diabetes. One in two people currently living with diabetes are undiagnosed. The vast majority of these have type 2 diabetes.

Left untreated or unmanaged, diabetes can lead to life-changing Read More

HEART DAY OBSERVED

Sat, 05 Oct 2019 03:58:49 -0700

Members of Hi Foundation Ghana as always were inspired by the enthusiasm from all over the world in commemorating World Heart Day on 29th of September. This year was all about being a HEART HERO!

We thank everyone who took part. #Beahearthero #WHD #Hifoundationgh

A market square education at Jacobu

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 09:05:52 -0700

Facilitators also took to the market at Jacobu. They raised awareness of the state of diabetes and hypertension in Ghana. More importantly, the audience was introduced to common risk factors and the extent of their vulnerability to the aforementioned chronic diseases.

The role of market women in the spread of these diseases was not left out. They have a monumental responsibility in the fight against these cardiovascular diseases due to invasion of unhealthy food products into the market. Also, they should not put their financial interest ahead of the health of the 'economy' - as the saying goes "Health is Wealth"

Awareness creation exercise

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 09:03:00 -0700

Wamfie is the capital of the Dormaa East District, carved out of the Dormaa Central district. The 2010 population census places the district population at 50,871. Males constitute 47.1 percent and females represent 52.9 Percent of the total population of the district. More than half (63.8%) of the population in the Dormaa East district live in urban areas. The sex ratio of the district is 89.1, which implies that there are 89 males per 100 females.

The disease burden centers around hypertension and diabetes and higher levels of malaria recorded at health centers within the district. The district additionally has a substantial burden of Teenage pregnancies resulting in school dropouts among girls above 15 years.

In spite of this background, the Apostles’ Continuation Church in 2017 during the annual Easter Convention invited a facilitator of the Foundation to cause awareness for the spate of Teenage pregnancies and cardiovascular diseases. The meeting was attended by an over 4,000 members of the church from the various parts of the Brong Ahafo Region.

Speaking on the subject of Teenage Pregnancy, the Executive Director who was the Resource Person for the event highlighted the various attributing factors of teenage pregnancies in the district and chides parents to exercise their roles well to safeguard the future of their wards. He emphatically enumerated peer pressure, child neglect, broken homes, single parenting among others as major precursors to teenage pregnancy in the district. He challenged opinion leaders...Read More

Screening at Amansie Central

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 08:58:51 -0700

As part of an intensive door-to-door health campaign, not less than 120 inhabitants at Jacobu township had their blood pressures (BP) checked. The program which was in two phases; screening and education, was also the maiden door-to-door outreach of the organization. Facilitators identified about 40 adults with 'high blood pressure'. Although some of them had never been diagnosed of hypertension, and could still not be having the disease, they were advised on the importance of having their BPs checked consistently. This raised the topic of poor health-seeking behaviour among indigenes. They were educated on the imperceptible but deadly nature of hypertension and were advised (including those found within normal parameters) to adopt/maintain healthy lifestyles.