The Ghana Armed Forces Health Services, managers of the 37 Military Hospital, has organized a comprehensive health screening exercise to create and intensify awareness on diabetes as the world marks World Diabetes Day. The event, held at the 37 Military Hospital, aimed to provide Ghanaians with access to diabetes screening and management services.
The health screening, which is part of the hospital’s efforts to provide comprehensive care for diabetes patients, includes physiotherapy, wellness centers, clinical psychologists, dietetics, and pharmacy services. The hospital has set up a holistic team to provide comprehensive care for diabetes patients, with the goal of reducing the burden of the disease in Ghana.
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Commander Dr. Diane Afeng-Nkansah, a Senior Family Physician Specialist and Diabetologist, urged Ghanaians to take advantage of diabetes screening and management services, emphasizing that early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in controlling the disease.
Diabetes is real. Diabetes can be well controlled. Diabetes can be put into remission. Early diagnosis and early treatment is very important,” Dr. Afeng-Nkansah said. “We want to encourage Ghanaians to take their health seriously and to prioritize their well-being. Diabetes is a costly and difficult-to-treat disease, but with proper management, it can be controlled and even put into remission.”
A clinical psychologist, Abdul Salifu, on his part, emphasized the importance of mental health in managing diabetes, saying that the condition can lead to trauma and stress.
Mental health is a continuum where both normalcy and abnormality come into play. The person going through anxiety, the person going through stress, that is why mental health is important when it comes to diabetes,” Salifu said. “We have to all appreciate the fact that we need to take our mental health seriously. There is no physical health that has a bad mental health. So that should tell you how important it is for you as an individual to take much importance with your mental health.”
World Diabetes Day 2025 is observed annually on November 14. This year’s theme was “Diabetes Across Life Stages: Strengthening Integrated Care For Diabetes Management,” with a special focus on promoting a healthy workplace and balanced lifestyle. The day aims to raise awareness about diabetes and its impact on individuals and communities worldwide.
