Professor Margaret Lartey, Ag. Provost and Dean, UGMS
The College of Health Sciences has organised its 4th Biennial Public Lecture on the theme “Heart Attack”: An Emerging Disease We Cannot Ignore”. The Lecture was held on September 26, 2019 at the Auditorium of the British Council.
In brief welcome remarks, Professor Margaret Lartey, Dean of University of Ghana Medical School and Ag. Provost, noted that the Lecture was part of the College’s contribution to the general health outcomes of Ghanaians. She added that, the lecture does not only serve as an advocacy tool but also a means to disseminate findings of research work conducted by the faculty of the College. Professor Lartey indicated that cases of heart attacks which previously were uncommon had recently become prevalent, affecting younger age groups with devastating effects.
The Ag. Provost seized the occasion to announce the 20th Anniversary of the College of Health Sciences. She indicated that a number of activities had been outlined to commemorate the anniversary celebrations and encouraged faculty staff and students to keenly participate in all activities to make the celebrations successful.
Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, Chairman for the Lecture and Vice-Chancellor of the University, recalled that the College of Health Sciences Biennial Public Lecture Series was instituted in 2013 to showcase current biomedical research carried out in the College. The Lecture, according to him serves as a platform for academia to engage the public on topical medical issues which would form the basis for policy formulation for the wellbeing of the population of Ghana. He indicated that the impact of the University must be felt by the society, hence it was prudent to educate the public on pertinent health issues that adversely affect society.
Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, Vice-Chancellor
The Vice-Chancellor charged the College to lead discussions to get the government and policy makers to prioritise the training of specialists by developing a draft bill on care of cardio-vascular diseases (CVDs) to be presented to Parliament for consideration.
The 4th College of Health Sciences Biennial Public Lecture was delivered by practitioners who brought their diverse experiences to bear on the topic. Dr. Yacoba Atiase, Lecturer at University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS) and a Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Joseph Atiah Akamah, Lecturer and Head of Cardiology at UGMS, Dr. Mrs. Cecilia Eliason, Lecturer at School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Dr. Alfred Doku, Consultant Physician and Cardiologist, and also a Lecturer at the UGMS.
Dr. Yacoba Atiase indicated that heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is obstructed. She noted that the blockade is often a build-up of cholesterol and other substance forming a plaque. She indicated that the more risk factors one has, the more likely the risk of heart attack.
Dr. Yacoba Atiase, Lecturer, University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS)
The second speaker, Dr. Alfred Doku stated that heart attack was a medical emergency and the leading cause of death worldwide which was becoming common in Africa due to poor diet and lack of physical activity. He noted that the clinical presentation depends on several factors, however, chest pain was the commonest symptom. The Electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac markers helps clinicians to make appropriate diagnosis.
Dr. Alfred Doku, Consultant Physician and Cardiologist
Dr. (Mrs.) Cecilia Eliason the third speaker, noted that assessment skills and comprehensive knowledge of coronary heart disease were important to enhance patients care and improve outcomes from the initial emergency unit through to discharge and review. She indicated that in Ghana and many African countries, there were no comprehensive guidelines and protocols for nursing management of patients with heart attack, neither were there any evidence-based nursing care models in provision of care for patients with heart attack. She recommended that the capacity of nurses should be developed to manage patients needing acute care.
Dr. (Mrs.) Cecilia Eliason (middle) having some interactions
Dr. Joseph Atiah Akamah, during his presentation mentioned that behavioral risk factors such as physical inactivity, tobacco use and unhealthy diet account for nearly 80% of the CVD burden. Dr. Akamah advised the audience to control their blood pressure and cholesterol levels, get regular medical checkups, maintain a healthy weight, eat heart-healthy diet, manage diabetes, control stress, avoid smoking, and all avoid drinking alcohol or drink in moderation.
Dr. Joseph Atiah Akamah, Head of Cardiology at UGMS
This year’s lecture was accompanied with a medical and dental screening which was highly patronized by the public.
The Lecture was also used to collect 1,000 signatures to be sent to Parliament for action on CVDs.
The audience were thrilled to very interesting and educative lectures on heart attack by the four distinguished lectures.
A cross-section of audience at the lecture
