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Open gutters eager to welcome all forms of garbage to choke them, craters with strips of what may have been asphalt and probably called roads some years earlier. Young men arguing at the top of their voices under trees during working hours and sadly it appears they have no plans of finding jobs or creating one. They find a way to satisfy their hunger every day. These scenarios are definitely not what I dream for my beloved country. Though many people especially those living outside our borders like to convince themselves as well as all others that it is all gloom in our land, that is far from the truth; many people want to excel at what they do even in the face of challenges and young minds are doing wonderful things.
Many people are dreaming and making things happen in a decent way. Only Ghanaians can make Ghana a haven; complain as much as you want but do not leave it at that. Do something to bring about the change you desire. No country has been built without the sacrifice of its people.
I see health facilities springing up in several places especially in the capital. Why are we not training health professionals to man these centres? We can and should invest in the training of professionals who specialize in a chosen field and that should not be restricted to doctors only. Long service or having friends in high places should not be the criteria for heading a major health facility; we can get things right if we make the right choices.
The silence on preventive medicine is deafening. Physical Education in schools has found its way into history books and handwashing appears to be necessary only when one uses the toilet. Little wonder diarrhoeal diseases have a field day in our health facilities. Let us get back to the basics.
I dream of a beautiful land where booths for checking blood pressure and blood sugar at the very least can be found in every corner “from Gambaga to Accra, from Wiaso to Keta…” Why do we have to lose so many people needlessly to hypertension and diabetes? The first time I read that the sphygmomanometer (for measuring blood pressure) also measures “common sense” I found it quite insulting but after much reflection, it may be the painful truth. Five minutes may be all it takes to save a life. Aren’t all lives important? Why do people leave home late for work and then use dispatch riders paid by our tax money to literally drive us off the road? We can embark on a programme to check the blood pressure of everyone in the country in a year. Checking for Diabetes may cost us a little more but it is certainly doable and it should be a must! I dream of the day when blood sugar will be checked at most visits to a health facility just like we check blood pressure; maybe a little exaggerated but I am sure you can dream with me.
I love to dream and “I hope someday you may join me” because we need to dream and then put into practice. If we can dream it then surely we can get it done (Combert Impressions comes to mind) and of course there will be challenges but we can succeed.
If we have days for cleaning our surroundings then we surely can have days when we all do some walking. How glorious that will be if we could cover our drains so people can walk safely.
It is not my aim to cause anyone to lose business but why should children have access to coloured water loaded with sugar in school. I think schools should say NO to these toxins disguised as refreshing drinks.
The carnage on our roads is real. I was excited when I heard of changes to issuing and renewing drivers licenses. Is there a way we can penalize people for dangerous driving? Can we use pictures? Or cameras or maybe our Police Officers can help?
This year a lot of health education worldwide has focused on The Family and maybe we should also place a lot of responsibility on family units. Strong, responsible and disciplined families will lead to a country of our dreams but how do we get families to tow this path? Are the children our hope? Can schools and churches and groups who want to see and experience a country of their dreams help to grow and mentor our young ones?
Many times I wonder if it’s possible to have every parent invest some money each month no matter how small once a child is born. Imagine what the power of compound interest and time can do by the time the child is old enough to take over making the money and investing. Yes I do appreciate the level of poverty in many quarters but we have to start somewhere.
We need more optimists to step up and guide us where we belong.
Pardon me for rambling but DREAMS seldom follow a clear path. I look forward to seeing our dreams become a reality.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
(Health Essentials Ltd/Premier Health Insurance/St Andrews Clinic)
*Dr. Kojo Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise.
Thought for the week – “As World AIDS Day approaches, make an effort to KNOW YOUR STATUS.”
