Health Experts Warn of Rising Non-Communicable Diseases in Ashanti Region
Nearly 80% of patients at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital diagnosed with chronic conditions
- Doctors report sharp increase in hypertension and diabetes cases in Kumasi.
- Late hospital visits identified as a major cause of worsening health outcomes.
- New private facility launched to boost early diagnosis and access to care.
Health experts in the Ashanti Region have expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly hypertension and diabetes.
Dr Rashid Nkatiah, a Deputy Principal Biomedical Scientist at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, highlighted the issue during the commissioning of Dimer Health Care, a new private medical facility located in Bantama and Atonsu in Kumasi.
He revealed that nearly 80% of patients seen at the hospital are diagnosed with NCDs, attributing the trend largely to poor health-seeking habits. According to him, many people only visit health facilities when symptoms become severe, by which time chronic conditions are often already advanced.
Dr Nkatiah stressed that this delay in seeking care contributes significantly to premature deaths, and urged the public to prioritise regular medical check-ups for early detection and management.
He also pointed to lifestyle factors such as unhealthy eating, lack of physical activity, stress, and alcohol consumption as key drivers behind the rising cases, encouraging individuals to adopt healthier routines.
The newly opened Dimer Health Care facility aims to expand access to quality diagnostic and treatment services in Kumasi, with a focus on routine screenings and early detection.
Dr Nkatiah noted that while private healthcare providers play an important role in supporting the public system, they face challenges such as the high cost of importing medical equipment, and called for government support to ease these constraints.
Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene, who attended the event as guest speaker, commended the initiative and encouraged investors to take advantage of the region’s favourable business climate to support development.
Dimer Health Care offers a range of services including laboratory testing, CT scans, ultrasound imaging, EEG, X-rays and echocardiography, and operates two branches in Kumasi to improve access to specialised healthcare services.
