Cardio centre committed to reducing premature deaths
The National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCC) has expressed its commitment to reduce premature deaths in the country by 25 per cent by 2025.
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Each year, 17.5 million people die prematurely globally through cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) which include heart disease and stroke.
The Director of the NCC, Dr Lawson Agyeman Sereboe, disclosed this at the press launch of this year’s World Heart Day on the theme: “Power your life” at the NCC at Korle Bu in Accra.
Dr Sereboe stated that the World Heart Federation was dedicated to leading the global fight against CVDs.
The World Heart Day is the federation’s biggest global awareness raising platform for cardiovascular diseases.
Theme
He explained the theme to mean “fuel your life, move your heart and love your heart”.
‘Fuel your heart’ implies eat and drink well to give your heart the fuel it needs to live; move your heart means stay active to reduce risk of heart disease, while ‘love your heat’ implies that stop smoking, as it is the best thing you can do to improve on your heart condition.
Advice
Dr Sereboe advised people to eat less fatty food, take in more fruits and do vigorous exercises to make the heart healthy.
He further entreated Ghanaians to regularly check their blood glucose and cholesterol levels, blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI) to prevent them from getting CVDs.
A comedian, Mr Derrick Kwabena Bonney, popularly known as D.K.B., was introduced at the launch as the brand ambassador to embark on a campaign to inform the populace on the causes and effects of CVDs.
Role
Mr Bonney said his role was universal, since CVDs cut across children to adults.
He advised parents to ensure that their children undergo regular exercises, instead of spending their time in front of the television and on mobile phones.
“If you are a rich man living an unhealthy life, a poor man living a healthy life will take over your property when you die prematurely,” the ambassador said.
There will be a health walk on October 1 as part of activities celebrating World Heart Day 2016. There will also be a health screening exercise at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park.
The climax of the celebration will be on October 29 at the Cardiothoracic Centre at Korle Bu, Accra.
Donation
The Marketing Officer of Stanbic Bank, Ms Ernestina Danquah, made a donation of GH¢10,000 to the centre to support the awareness, while Vita Milk Company also presented 20 cartons of Vita Milk to support the programme.