Dr. Arthur Sackeyfio and Health Officials Urge National Action as NCDs Now Account for 45% of Deaths in Ghana

Ghana is grappling with a "silent epidemic" of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which now account for 45% of all deaths in the country. During the 2026 commemoration of World Patient Safety Day in Accra, health officials and medical experts warned that the nation’s health system must urgently adapt to the rising prevalence of chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Dr. Wallace Odiko-Ollennu, Programme Manager for the NCD Control Programme, and other stakeholders emphasized that low public awareness and unhealthy lifestyles are fueling a crisis that requires a unified, nationwide response.

Detailed statistics shared during the various panel discussions highlight the severity of the situation. Dr. Efua Commeh, Municipal Director of Health at La Nkwantanang-Madina, revealed that 21.7% of Ghanaian adults aged 18-69 are hypertensive, yet fewer than half of those affected are aware of their condition. This lack of diagnosis is a significant hurdle in long-term management. Experts noted that while infectious diseases remain a concern, chronic NCDs are increasingly overtaking them. To combat this, health officials are advocating for "Meatless Monday" initiatives to reduce meat consumption and are collaborating with Muslim leaders to integrate spiritual teachings with public health strategies to promote healthier eating habits.

Central to the 2026 World Patient Safety Day theme was the concept of safety as a shared responsibility across the entire care journey. Dr. Arthur Sackeyfio, Head of Orthopaedics at FOCOS Hospital, stressed that patient safety is not a single event but a continuous process extending from initial diagnosis to final discharge. He called for meticulous care, safe medication practices, and proactive engagement with patients as partners in their own health. According to Dr. Sackeyfio, healthcare institutions must foster a culture of teamwork and open communication, utilizing feedback and audits to learn from incidents and improve everyday operations.

To address these systemic challenges, experts are calling for structural changes in healthcare delivery and education. Dr. Commeh emphasized the need to integrate NCD management into nursing and midwifery training curricula and to improve communication between providers and patients regarding individual lifestyle circumstances. Community engagement, regular screenings, and increased public education on risk factors—particularly in vulnerable areas like coastal fishing communities—are seen as vital for early detection. As Ghana moves forward, the consensus among medical professionals is that mitigating the NCD burden requires not just medical intervention, but a comprehensive shift toward preventive care and sustained patient engagement.