UCCCCUL Holds Health Talk and Screening for Members

The University of Cape Coast Cooperative Credit Union Limited (UCCCCUL) recently organized a health talk and screening for its members under the theme “Wealth and Happiness, Happy Healthy Family.” The event focused on the current management of hypertension in Ghana and globally.
Dr. James Kojo Prah, Director of UCC Health Services, who led the discussions, noted that lifestyle changes, including poor eating habits, are driving the rise of hypertension cases in the country. He highlighted that high sodium intake, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco use, chronic stress, and unhealthy diets are primary contributors to the condition.
Hypertension, listed among the top five causes of death in Ghana, is also a major factor in cardiovascular diseases. According to a WHO report cited by Dr. Prah, the prevalence of hypertension ranges from 25 to 48 percent, with higher rates in urban areas than in rural communities. Alarmingly, over 70 percent of persons with hypertension are not on any treatment.
Prof. Georgina Yaa Oduro, Head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, chaired the event and encouraged participants to adopt healthier lifestyles to reduce the burden of hypertension on families and the wider community.
The screening included measurements of blood sugar, blood pressure, body mass index, and prostate assessments. Among those present were Mr. Theophilus Nartey, Chairman of the UCC Credit Union Board, and other members.