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Obstetrician calls for intensive public education on PIH
Wing Commander Dr Heindel Tonyi Senayah, a Specialist Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, has called for intensified public education on Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH), to help reduce maternal deaths in Ghana.
PIH also known as gestational hypertension, is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy characterised by elevated blood pressure occurring after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a previously normotensive woman.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, Dr Senayah, explained that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were among the leading causes of maternal mortality in Ghana, contributing significantly and estimate of about 15 to 20 per cent of maternal deaths.
He described PIH as a potentially life-threatening condition that could deteriorate rapidly if not detected early and managed appropriately yet, remained under-discussed in public health education.
Dr Senayah noted that, although the condition could not be completely reversed until delivery, early detection and proper management including close monitoring, antihypertensive therapy, and timely intervention could significantly improve maternal and fetal outcomes.
“With hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, the clinical condition can worsen unpredictably, which is why careful monitoring and timely decision-making are essential,” he said.
He emphasised that, while delivery of the baby and placenta remained the definitive treatment, the timing of delivery depended on the severity of the disease, gestational age, and the condition of both mother and baby.
Additionally, in severe cases, early delivery may be necessary to safeguard the mother’s life.
Dr Senayah explained that the exact cause of PIH was not fully understood, but it was strongly linked to abnormal placentation and maternal vascular dysfunction.
Current evidence, he disclosed, suggested that a multifactorial origin involving genetic, immunological, and environmental factors contributed to the condition.
“There are several theories, but what is clear is that the placenta plays a central role in the development of the disease,” he noted.
He outlined risk factors including maternal age below 20 years or above 40 years, multiple pregnancy, pre-existing hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and a previous history of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
Dr Senayah clarified that, while some women might not initially show obvious symptoms, warning signs of severe disease may include persistent headache, visual disturbances, upper abdominal pain, and swelling.
Hence, he stressed the importance of regular antenatal monitoring.
He explained that the presence of protein in urine, in addition to hypertension, indicated progression to preeclampsia, a more severe form of the condition.
According to him, most women recover after delivery, although some may continue to have hypertension postpartum and require follow-up care.
He debunked common myths that PIH was caused by the sex of the baby, spiritual factors, or personal habits, stressing that, it was a medical condition requiring timely diagnosis and management.
Dr Senayah advised pregnant women to initiate antenatal care early and attend regularly to enable early detection and management of complications. –GNA
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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