The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) as part of their public health education campaigns has resolved to create and sustain awareness about obesity and its associated complications.

This was announced by the President Samuel Kow Donkoh in his address at the Annual General Meeting of the Society held at the University for Professional Studies in Tamale. The campaign, dubbed “My Weight My Health” will be driven through the regional branches and the expansive network of community pharmacies across the country.

Obesity is a complex condition with serious social and psychological dimensions that affect people of all ages and socioeconomic class. By raising awareness and improving access to appropriate and credible information, the PSGH can contribute to combating the obesity pandemic.

In his address, President Donkoh further called on all development partners in health and relevant stakeholders to partner and work together to address the many root causes of obesity to create happier, healthier, and longer lives.

How is obesity Harmful?

Globally, 800 million people are living with obesity. People with obesity are twice as likely to be hospitalized if tested positive for COVID-19. People living with obesity are at greater risk of developing noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, as well as certain mental health disorders (mainly due to obesity linked stigma and self-esteem issues).

More soon…