It is almost impossible to discuss wealth without health and though our focus has been to discuss prevention of diseases, we will spend more time this month and the year in general looking at practical steps to keep us healthy.

“The foundation of a successful and sustainable healthcare system is PREVENTIVE MEDICINE; common sense ways to prevent disease.”-Dr. Kojo Essel

Diarrhoeal diseases including cholera and other illnesses such as typhoid continue to impact negatively on our health and hence our wealth. Our healthcare facilities are choked with people vomiting and passing stools. Many of these diseases are simply a result of the filth we surround ourselves with and our poor personal and environmental hygiene.

Before cholera breaks loose once again and other illnesses virtually drain all the fluids in our body, we will master a few easy to follow steps that can keep us safe.

Easy to follow steps that protect us from infectious diseases:

A.

Wash your hands with SOAP and WATER (cleaning your hands by simply wiping them in your clothes is unacceptable):

• AFTER using the toilet
• AFTER cleaning a child or adult
• BEFORE eating
• BEFORE cooking or handling food
• AFTER multiple handshakes e.g. after a funeral or party
• BEFORE going to sleep especially for children.

These simple steps can reduce the incidence of vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pains and certain pneumonias.

B.

• Brush your teeth properly at least twice a day (morning and last thing before sleeping. Toothpaste must contain fluoride) – it may even protect you from heart disease
• At the very least you need to bath once a day. Wash your hair regularly and comb or brush it.
• Do not continue wearing soiled clothing – sweat, grease/oil, ingredients from cooking etc
• Wash your clothing with soap or a detergent DO NOT just air them out
• Hair in armpit and pubic area should be shaved regularly
• Keep fingernails (especially) short to avoid trapping dirt
• Wipe dry the area in between your toes after a bath
• Change your underwear daily
• Do not wear socks unwashed for days.
• Wash your bed sheet and towel at least once a week

C.

• All refuse should be well covered
• Indiscriminate defecation should be avoided (can you imagine how faeces may leak into burst pipelines?)
• All water storage containers should be tightly covered
• Drinking water should be boiled and filtered (boiled, at least), and allowed to cool before drinking. It is your choice if you opt to use mineral water aka “pure water”
• Eat food while warm and be sure the source is reliable

D

• Ensure your gutters are clean
• Do not entertain pools of water – they can breed mosquitoes

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/St. Andrews Clinic

(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)

*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 – “Personal hygiene is cultivated in us as we grow old, but is never too late to start one, if you lack one.” - Hubpages